Emmerdale legend Lisa Riley ‘signs big money deal to stay with the soap’ … three years after reprising her role as Mandy Dingle
Lisa Riley has reportedly made a new commitment to Emmerdale after signing a huge new deal to stay on the ITV show.
The 46-year-old actress reprized her role as Mandy Dingle in 2019 after being a permanent cast member from 1995 to 2000.
And according to The Sun, the TV show wanted her on for even longer.
They told the publication: “Keeping Lisa on the show is a huge coup for Emmerdale and bosses are thrilled to close the deal.
“She’s a huge personality both on and off set, and Mandy plays a huge part in the soap’s agenda.”
Emmerdale legend Lisa Riley ‘signs big money deal to stay with the soap’ … three years after reprising her role as Mandy Dingle
Web reached out to ITV officials, who declined to comment.
Lisa’s character is also a big part of the soap at the moment, having recently had a steamy reunion with her ex-husband Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brunt).
After learning of his wife Chas Dingle’s (Lucy Pargeter) affair with Al Chapman (Michael Wildman), Paddy opens up to his former love and old passions are rekindled – and the two soon fall into bed together.
Lisa left the soap over 20 years ago following the collapse of her character and Paddy’s marriage as the couple split with her departure both on and off screen.
Last year, Lisa took a break from filming after being devastated by the death of her fiancé Al’s mother from cancer.
But she later admitted she got back to work “too quickly” after tragically losing the family member she called “Nana.”
She told The Mirror at the time: It was a treacherous time and it’s still very rough in the family. In hindsight, when Nana died, I shouldn’t have gone back to work so soon.
“But what I wanted to do was go ahead anyway, and I had to dig really deep to shoot the scenes. Now I realize it was the wrong thing to do before the funeral.”
On screen: The actress reprized her role as Mandy Dingle in 2019 after being a permanent cast member from 1995 to 2000
A source told The Sun: “Keeping Lisa on the show is a huge coup for Emmerdale and bosses are thrilled to close the deal” (pictured on the show in 2005)
Looking ahead to The Dales this week, drama appears to be heating up as fans were left in shock after the show aired this Thursday.
Newcomer Caleb Miligan (Will Ash) appeared to betray his brother Cain (Jeff Hordley) in a bombastic moment at the end of the episode.
After seemingly making amends on their relationship, Caleb played soccer with Cain’s son Kyle before making a bombshell phone call that shocked viewers.
“It’s me, can you talk?” Caleb said on the phone.
He added: “Looks like we’re finally moving forward. So we keep pulling them in until we get what we want.’
Excitement: Looking ahead to The Dales, drama appears to be heating up this week as fans were left in shock after the show aired this Thursday
Before the call, Caleb told Cain, “I know things are difficult, yes, but everything will be fine, trust me.”
Viewers flocked to Twitter and wrote, “I thought he seemed too nice to be true!”
Another added: “Please don’t say Caleb Cain does the dirt? Tonight’s episode was great to see them reunited.’
‘This is so annoying! I really wanted them to sort things out and get along. I have no idea what Caleb is up to either!’ said one.
Caleb is Faith Dingle’s long-lost son, and he and Cain have been at odds since the revelation.
Bombshell: After seemingly making things right on their relationship, Caleb played soccer with Cain’s son Kyle before making a bombshell call that shocked viewers