Lisa Riley explained her absence from the British Soap Awards, as she revealed it was due to a heartbreaking loss.
The iconic soap actress, who has played Mandy Dingle in Emmerdale since 1995, was sadly forced to miss out on the star-studded bash due to personal reasons.
Lisa was absent from celebrations as Emmerdale scooped the coveted Best Soap award at the ceremony, beating off stiff competition from EastEnders and Coronation Street.
Her co-star James Hooton, who played Sam Dingle, said it was down to a “family issue” and she was doing well.
Lisa has now taken to social media to reveal why she was missing from the annual bash, and told her fans the devastating news that her beloved nana had sadly passed away.
“Today, we know, will be the toughest day, we lean on each other, you are now at peace, yet we are all craving your energy around the house,” she wrote, according to Chronicle Live.
“God has gained another Angel. May you light up heaven with your warmth and your infectious smile. I will be try to be strong for the both of us.”
The awards, which were shown on ITV, proved to be a big night for Emmerdale, which scooped a series of gongs.
Not only did it win Best Soap, but the Dingles won Best Family, and Mark Charnock, who plays Marlon Dingle, was honoured with Best Dramatic Performance, while actress Paige Sandhu, who plays serial killer Meena, won Best Leading Performance.
Just a few days before the Soap Awards, Lisa revealed she had bought a pair of shoes to wear to the ceremony, but joked she was unable to walk in them.
“I have just purchased some shoes online for this years @SoapAwards 2022 they got delivered this morning,they are the shoes that Kate Middleton wears a lot !!! For some reason I can’t seem to walk like Kate Middleton,I am walking like a Rugby player,” Lisa posted on Twitter.
Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@mirror.co.uk or call us direct 0207 29 33033
