Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley celebrated some exciting news during the latest episode of Loose Women. The host of Loose Women delivered thrilling news during the live broadcast on Monday, June 15. Ruth Langsford was at the helm, appearing alongside Lisa Riley, Sue Cleaver, and Brenda Edwards in the ITV studio.
As the programme began, Ruth paid tribute to Lisa following her MBE honour in the King's birthday honours list. The Emmerdale actress is being recognised for her extensive services to drama and charity. Opening Monday's Loose Women, Ruth announced: "After first appearing in Emmerdale as a fresh-faced Mandy Dingle over 30 years ago, our fabulous Lisa has been recognised for her extensive services to drama and charity in this year's King's birthday honours list," as the studio burst into applause.
Ruth added: "Round of applause! Fantastic, how exciting! We're so thrilled for you. How did you find out? When did you find out? How did you feel when you found out?"
Lisa responded: "Honestly, Ruth, this weekend has been absolutely incredible. So, I found out sort of late February. I'd been away with Al [Benković, her partner], we'd had a four-day weekend away and I opened the postbox and there was a very posh envelope. And when I say posh, I mean posh. It had my name on it and it said [that it] was from the King, and I was like, 'Come on, this is an absolute wind up!' I thought I was being pranked. Lo and behold, I opened it and it said for drama and for charity."
The star continued: "I'm very blessed I've been doing a job I love in a world where I've been employed, touch wood, all my life, and I'm so grateful for that. To be honoured and also for people who got in touch with me, that's been the craziest thing this weekend. I've had messages from people, like directors that I've worked with when I was like 21, and they're just genuinely over the moon. At work, we have a Dingle WhatsApp group and every single one of the Dingles were like, 'Go on girl! You're doing it for the family!' Of course, I'm the first person ever at Emmerdale to have got anything like this, so I feel a bit royal!"
Ruth proceeded to say: "We're buzzing for you, and actually, it was lovely [for you] to have both things, drama and charity. We know you do a lot for charities, in your mum's name in particular... You absolutely deserve it."
Lisa then highlighted a defining moment from her career beyond the Dales, with the star being "forever grateful" for her role in BBC drama Three Girls, which depicted the events surrounding the Rochdale child sex abuse ring. On what she'll be wearing to collect her MBE, Lisa added: "The frock's going to be amazing, yeah. I'm going to go colour, you know I will. I'll be taking my family... We're told that it's seven months from announcement that I'll be going, and you don't know whether you'll get Windsor or Buckingham Palace. Fingers crossed, I really, really want [Prince] William. Is that selfish? I'd love William!"
Ruth remarked: "I think he watches, so Your Highness...," while Lisa chimed in with: "Remember William, I'm a Dingle as well!" Lisa brought the exchange to a close by expressing her gratitude to her fellow cast members for being her "cheerleaders". Loose Women airs weekdays on ITV1 and ITVX at 12.30pm.
