Lisa Riley, known for her role as Mandy Dingle on the long-running British soap opera Emmerdale, has been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of her contributions to acting and charitable work. The news, announced earlier this year, prompted an emotional reaction from Riley, who dedicated the honor to the memory of her late mother, Cath, who played a pivotal role in encouraging her early interests in ballet and acting before passing away from breast cancer in 2012.

Riley, who received the notification of her MBE shortly after returning from holiday with her fiancé Al Benkovic, described her surprise at the recognition. She recalled receiving a formal letter bearing the imprint “From the King,” which she initially thought was a prank. The award acknowledges not only her achievements in drama but also her extensive involvement in charity organizations, including Breast Cancer Now, Maggie’s Yorkshire, Sue Ryder, and mental health charity Sane—efforts inspired by her mother’s battle with cancer.

The presentation of her MBE is expected to be conducted by either King Charles or Prince William, with Riley expressing a light-hearted preference for the latter. She also received a handwritten congratulatory card from Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. A self-described royalist, Riley reflected on her admiration for members of the British royal family, recalling past encounters such as meeting Queen Elizabeth when she won the Yorkshire Young Achiever award early in her career.

Born in Bury, Lisa Riley joined Emmerdale in 1995 at the age of 19. Initially contracted for a brief period, her character Mandy Dingle rapidly gained popularity, leading to her becoming a permanent cast member the following year. This breakthrough was followed by winning the National Television Award for Most Popular Newcomer. Beyond Emmerdale, Riley hosted the television program You’ve Been Framed! from 1998, significantly increasing its viewership. She later left the soap in 2001 to pursue other acting roles in dramas like Fat Friends and the BAFTA-winning mini-series Three Girls. Her television appearances include competing on Strictly Come Dancing and participating in I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, further broadening her public profile. She returned to Emmerdale in 2019 and now serves as a mentor figure to younger cast members.

Looking ahead, Riley plans to celebrate her 50th birthday with family and friends, including her father Terry and siblings, but intends to mark the occasion soberly, opting for water rather than alcohol. She has expressed hopes to continue portraying Mandy well into her later years, citing a deep personal connection to the character she describes as a long-time companion.

Emmerdale continues to air weekdays at 8 p.m. on ITV and STV.