Lisa Riley missed out on accepting an award at Saturday's British Soap Awards due to a 'family issue,' as her Emmerdale castmates offered an explanation.
Lisa is a legend of soap world thanks to playing the iconic Mandy Dingle in the ITV soap, a role which she has reprised on numerous occasions. Ex Fat Friends and Strictly star Lisa is at the thick of the action right now as Mandy and she should have been on stage to join on-screen relatives like James Hooton's Sam and Mark Charnock's Marlon as The Dingles won the new award for Best Family.
As Emmerdale were the big British Soap Award winners this year, The Dingles saw off competition from the likes of The McQueens from Hollyoaks and EastEnders' Carters to triumph in the fan voted category. It was down to co-star James to address Lisa's absence, explaining it was down to a 'family issue' and wishing her well.
