Emmerdale star Lisa Riley sent a supportive three-word message to Andy Burnham as he became Prime Minister on Monday, July 20, 2026. The Bury-born actress wrote on Instagram: "Good Luck today @andy.burnham."
Andy Burnham's Path to Prime Minister
Burnham, the former Greater Manchester mayor, ran as an MP in the Makerfield by-election after Josh Simons stood down. This occurred three months after Burnham was blocked from running in the Gorton and Denton by-election. He won the Makerfield seat, returning to Parliament. Following Sir Keir Starmer's resignation as Prime Minister last month, Burnham launched and won the Labour leadership bid, taking over as party leader on Friday, July 17.
On Monday, Starmer tendered his resignation at Buckingham Palace, and Burnham delivered his first speech as Prime Minister. He stated: "Britain needs to show the world that we can regain our stability once again, and that is our challenge – to make politics work, to make it work better." He will announce his cabinet appointments later today, with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband widely discussed as potential Chancellors.
Lisa Riley's Connection to Greater Manchester
Lisa Riley was born in Bury, Greater Manchester in 1976 and celebrated her 50th birthday this year. She grew up in the Tottington area, attended Hollymount School, and took acting classes at Oldham Theatre Workshop from age nine. Earlier in 2026, she was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to drama and charity as part of the King's Birthday Honours list.
Reacting to the honour, Riley said: "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." She noted she is the first Emmerdale cast member to receive an MBE.
