Emmerdale’s Lisa Riley given MBE in King’s Birthday Honours

The Emmerdale actress, who celebrates her half century on July 13, has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to drama and to charity.

She is best known for playing Mandy Dingle in the long-running ITV soap between 1995 and 2001, and from 2019 onwards.

The soap star, who went to Holly Mount RC Primary School in Greenmount and later St Gabriel’s High School, 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.

(Image: Ian West/PA)

“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.”

Riley, whose mother Cath died in her arms from pancreatic cancer, said she felt strongly about using her public profile to advocate for charities.

She said: “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.”

Riley said she wanted to thank her bosses at ITV for their “love and loyalty” over the years, adding: “I receive this today as the first ever cast member of Emmerdale to have been awarded an MBE.

“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’!”

She continued: “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.”

(Image: ITV)

Iain Macleod, creative director of continuing drama at ITV, offered his “hearty congratulations” on behalf of ITV and the soap, for the “well-deserved” honour.

He said: “As Mandy Dingle, she is a much-beloved presence on the nation’s screens and she is no less loved by her friends and colleagues at Emmerdale for her compassion and indefatigable positivity.

“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.”

Riley appeared as a contestant on the 10th series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2012, when she was paired with Robin Windsor.

She also appeared in I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2025, coming in fifth place.

Her other screen credits include Fat Friends, Age Before Beauty, and as the presenter of You’ve Been Framed between 1998 and 2002.

She has also appeared on the Loose Women panel.