Lisa Riley has opened up about her close friendship with Angry Ginge, describing the pair as "twins" who are "inseparable." Speaking to the Liverpool ECHO on the red carpet at the National Television Awards, the 50-year-old Emmerdale star represented both the soap and I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here at the London event on Tuesday, September 8.
Busy year for Riley
The past year has been eventful for Riley, who took part in the reality show hosted by Ant and Dec at the end of last year. Since then, she has celebrated her 50th birthday and was awarded an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours List for services to drama and charity.
Riley said she feels "incredibly lucky" to have her partner Al by her side every day. The couple, who have been together for many years and engaged for five, have not officially married, but Riley revealed she feels married to Al regardless.
Speaking to the ECHO, she said: "He's very proud of me especially this year, with the MBE and my 50th and the jungle. It just feels amazing, I'm very lucky." She added: "We feel like we're married, I'm like the Gen-Zers, they're not getting married these days."
Friendship with Angry Ginge
Riley also spoke about her busy career, telling the ECHO: "I never stop. Everyone says to me 'You never have a day off' and I'm like, I know. I'll sleep when I'm dead. I love being busy."
Her fanbase has broadened following her appearance on I'm A Celebrity, where she formed an unlikely friendship with 24-year-old social media content creator and streamer Angry Ginge, whose real name is Morgan Burtwhistle. The pair have kept in touch, with Riley often appearing on Ginge's streams from his home near Altrincham.
Riley explained: "We're twins, it's the northern energy - we're inseparable. He Facetimed me literally an hour ago from the car. We'll be sat together tonight and we're just the best of friends and everyone can see it. He allows me to be crazy, and I discipline him and give him advice and it works. We trust each other. This industry is crazy and to find someone with our age gap, and it feels like there is no age gap, it's really special."
Career and Liverpool ties
Riley is best known for playing Mandy Dingle on Emmerdale. Away from the soap, she has appeared in the sitcom Fat Friends as well as stage shows including Jack and the Beanstalk, Aladdin, The Play What I Wrote and The Naked Truth.
She spoke fondly of her experiences in Liverpool, telling the ECHO: "I love Liverpool, your theatres are incredible. I've played at the Royal Court - I love it." Her brother Liam and nephew Jake are huge Liverpool FC fans, which presents a challenge for Riley, a Leeds United supporter.
She said: "My brother and my nephew Jake are the biggest Liverpool fans in the world. I got so much shame! I was in New York the other day and my brother said 'Lisa you're a Leeds United fan and your nephew is stood there in a Liverpool shirt!' I got shamed because they know I'm a Leeds fan and I love football."
NTAs success
Riley enjoyed a successful night as Emmerdale took home the top prize for best serial drama at the National Television Awards. Actor Jeff Hordley also won the award for best serial drama performance for his role as Cain Dingle.
