The Bury-born actress was awarded for services to drama and charity
Emmerdale star Lisa Riley has become the first ever cast member from the ITV soap to be awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours list 2026.
The actress joined the ITV soap back in 1995 as Mandy Dingle. Her character is best known for her comedic timing, witty comebacks and bubbly personality.
After taking a short break from the Dales, Lisa returned as a full-time cast member in 2019 and has been involved in some of the biggest storylines over the last year, including her father-in-law Bear Wolf falling into the horrific world of modern slavery.
This year, on July 13, Lisa will be turning 50 years old, and there’s no better way to celebrate the milestone than by being made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to drama and to charity as part of the King’s Birthday Honours list for 2026.
She said of the honour: “Wow if this is not my best 50th birthday present being awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours list, I don’t know what is.
“I am being awarded an MBE, Member of the Order of the British Empire, for my services to drama and to charity. To say I am humbled is an absolute understatement. To have been able to do my job as an actor for 36 years now, never having a day out of work in our industry, is an honour in itself.”
Lisa’s mum, Cath, died from pancreatic cancer back in 2012. Twelve years after she was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. Since then. the actress has used the platform to raise awareness and advocate for charities.
She added: “My platform has enabled me to be an ambassador for my chosen charities: Breast Cancer Now, Maggie’s Yorkshire, Sane and Sue Ryder.
“These charities, since losing my beloved mum Cath to cancer, have helped me at times of grief, when I personally needed them the most. So, giving back was the least I could do.
“I made that promise to my mum before she died: I told her I would help as many families as possible, as we are all in this together, and we understand.”
After playing such an iconic role for over 30 years, Lisa noted that she’s the “first ever cast member of Emmerdale” to have been awarded an MBE.
The actress continued: “For me playing the role of Mandy Dingle is the gift that keeps on giving. Not only that, being a woman in our industry, sisterhood means everything to me.
“The finest feeling today is that I can truly feel my mum’s smile and her electric energy on my shoulders, the pride that her little girl ‘DID IT’! Thank you so much, my heart is the warmest it could ever be. Finally to my partner Al and my gorgeous family, I love you.
Iain Macleod, creative director of continuing drama at ITV offered his congratulations for Lisa, adding that her role as a Dingle is a “much-beloved presence on the nation’s screens”, sharing how loved she is by both friends and colleagues working on the Yorkshire-based soap.
He concluded: “This warmth and big-heartedness is in evidence in the amazing work she does for the many charities she so passionately supports. Lisa is a genuine force for good in the world and we’re all delighted for her.”
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