Lisa Riley, a household name thanks to her portrayal of Mandy Dingle in Emmerdale for nearly 30 years, has opened up about a significant career milestone. She also spoke about how the loss of her close friend and former Strictly Come Dancing partner Robin Windsor last year led her to seek therapy – something she hadn't done after losing her mother Cath to secondary breast cancer at 58. As a Breast Cancer Now ambassador, Lisa participated in a heartfelt podcast for the charity , where she revealed she may have an altered BRCA gene that increases her risk of certain cancers.
Despite admitting to being "petrified" of the disease that took her mother's life, the 48 year old actress is determined to keep the conversation about breast cancer going throughout the year. The soap's storyline involving her character Chas Dingle, who discovered a lump in her breast, resonated with viewers and sparked important discussions. Lisa highlighted the impact of soap operas, saying: "The response to Marlon's stroke storyline and Paddy's suicide attempt were significant.
As Chas is my close cousin, I received gratitude from people on the street for the breast cancer story. By showcasing mammograms and smears on Emmerdale , we hope to potentially save lives," reports the Mirror. As she nears her 49th birthday, Lisa has noticed changes in her body and admits to feeling anxious about her health, especially given her mother's early diagnosis and passing.
She said: "Any change makes me wonder if it'.