Lisa Riley, best known for playing Mandy Dingle on Emmerdale, has revealed she suffered panic attacks after shooting to fame in the 1990s. The 49-year-old actress joined the ITV soap in 1995 and quickly became a tabloid fixture alongside EastEnders stars Patsy Palmer and Martine McCutcheon.
Riley told Woman magazine that seeing her face on magazine covers for a storyline where her character pursued Dave Glover triggered claustrophobia and panic attacks. She recalled being followed everywhere 'like pop stars' and initially found it hard to cope.
Instead of seeking therapy, Riley turned to her mother, whom she called her 'rock', for support. She has not had a panic attack 'for years' and now advises younger Emmerdale cast members, who affectionately call her 'Nana'. She noted that today's online trolls are 'so vitriolic' compared to her early fame.
Riley left Emmerdale in 2001 to host You've Been Framed! but returned permanently in 2019. She still enjoys playing Mandy, describing the character as 'loveable, lashes and leopard print'.
Earlier this year, Riley revealed she started therapy again after the death of her friend and Strictly Come Dancing partner Robin Windsor in February 2024. She said putting on Mandy's lashes helped her cope, just as it did after losing her mother in 2012.
