Emmerdale star Lisa Riley has been supported by her friends and co-stars as she shared an emotional update marking 11 years of sobriety. The soap actress, best known for her role as Mandy Dingle on the Yorkshire-based soap, shared the milestone in a special message posted to Instagram.
Lisa Riley's Emotional Message
The 50-year-old TV star, who appeared on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here last year, often updates fans on what her life looks like away from set. In a recent post to her 500,000 followers, Lisa said she is "incredibly proud" of herself.
She said: "A day to be incredibly proud- 11 years sober today. To feel so free. Honestly, truly, now I’ve escaped from anything that destroyed being the truest me!!!!
"Each and every day I live life to the fullest-never wasting one minute-and certainly not wasting a second in a fog of fake!! My life is mine-which frankly is full of love and fun-I’ve created a life that does not require numbness for survival."
Support from Friends and Co-Stars
Lisa's friends rushed to the comments to send their love and support. TV star Denise Welch, who recently announced her decision to leave the Loose Women panel, said: "So proud of you xxx." Former Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt also said she is "proud", adding red love heart emojis. Ruth Langsford said: "You’re amazing" and James Corden also said: "You’re amazing."
Lisa's I'm A Celeb co-star Angry Ginge also added to the comments, writing: "GO ON LISA" with heart emojis. One fan said: "Wow what an achievement many congratulations xxx." A second added: "Brilliant!!! Proper Boss Lady!" A third wrote: "Well done Lisa."
Widespread Recognition
The post was liked by over 17,000 people including Emmerdale star Laura Norton, EastEnders' Shona McGarty, Coronation Street's Samia Longchambon and Good Morning Britain's Susanna Reid.
Lisa is best known for her role as Mandy Dingle, a character she has portrayed since 1995. She also starred as Rebecca Patterson in Fat Friends and took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2012, partnered with professional dancer Robin Windsor. Away from the screen, Lisa has been engaged to musician Al for over four years but the couple decided not to officially tie the knot because they already feel married. Emmerdale airs weekdays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
