Emmerdale star Lisa Riley has spoken out against a distressing AI-generated image that falsely claimed she was pregnant, reigniting painful emotions surrounding her well-documented fertility struggles. The 49-year-old actress, who has been in a relationship with her partner Al since 2014, discovered the fabricated post on social media and expressed how deeply it affected her.
The Impact of the AI Hoax
Riley, best known for her role as Mandy Dingle on the ITV soap, revealed that even her own family members were misled by the convincing image. Speaking on Friday's episode of Loose Women alongside Kaye Adams, GK Barry, and Denise Welch, she described the ordeal as 'horrible' and emphasised her lack of control over such technology.
'Someone had made a photograph with AI, bearing in mind all my struggles, me and Al, to make something say I was pregnant. Family members believed it and what upsets me the most is that I spoke so openly about the fact that I couldn't get pregnant and then I woke up to all that,' she said.
A Painful Reminder
The actress, who also appeared in Waterloo Road, Fat Friends, and Three Girls, has been candid about her fertility journey. Earlier this year, she admitted to reaching a heartbreaking acceptance that motherhood 'wasn't meant to be' after extensive IVF treatment. She recalled how her partner Al eventually urged her to stop the procedures, saying they were 'diminishing' her.
'It's insanity and it really, really hurts. People were saying it didn't matter that I was 49, but it's my life and I've got no control. People were saying congratulations but I can't get pregnant and it's horrible,' Riley added.
Finding Peace
Despite the setback, Riley has found solace in her family, describing her nephews and niece as 'part of my jigsaw'. She reflected on her journey, noting that while she once felt like a puzzle with a missing piece, she now appreciates the love and support around her.
The former I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! contestant continues to advocate for honesty about fertility issues, hoping her story can help others facing similar challenges.
