Lisa Riley admitted she left ‘Emmerdale’ to focus on her career, but refused to rule out a comeback.
The 42-year-old actress played Mandy Dingle on the ITV soap from 1995 to 2001, and while the last 17 years has seen her taken on more varied roles, the show will always hold a special place in her heart.
Appearing on Thursday’s episode (16.08.18) of ‘Loose Women’, she said: "Never say never… I’d had seven beautiful years there, and I loved it.
"I made great friends, they always gave me phenomenal stories, I was never a boring character. They always really involved me. However, I wanted to be an actress, I went to drama school to play different roles.
"So therefore to set my career up, I left and I was courageous, because people think you’re mad to leave a soap. But I think it’s the best decision I made."
It appears she’s still missed by her cast mates, as Dominic Brunt (Paddy Dingle) had recorded a special video message for his former on-screen wife.
He gushed: "Lisa Riley, when she was here, was one of the silliest, most insane people I’d ever worked with. However, she was one of the most professional, cleverest actors I’d ever worked with. I miss her massively."
Lisa – who has appeared on the likes of ‘Doctors’ and ‘Waterloo Road’ since leaving the soap – was moved by the sweet clip, and later took to social media to reveal just how much it meant to her.
She tweeted: "What a GORGEOUS trip down memory lane for me today. Fond memories 17 years ago playing Mandy Dingle in @emmerdale @itv
"Thanks to @dominicbrunt for your BEAUTIFUL surprise message, meant so much to me. #tearinmyeye"
Lisa Riley left Emmerdale for the sake of her career
