Emmerdale star Lisa Riley has said she is "humbled" after being named in the King's Birthday Honours list for 2026. The actor, who portrays Mandy Dingle on the ITV soap, was one of many people in the entertainment industry given a title by the monarch.
Riley was given an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for her services to drama and charity, with other recognised people including Anneka Rice, Helen Mirren, Judge Jules, Cerys Matthews and Aardman duo David Sproxton and Peter Lord.
In a statement on her social media, Riley said: "Wow if this is not my best 50th present, being awarded a MBE on the Kings Birthday honours list, I don't know what is!!!!!!! To say I am humbled is an absolute understatement."
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"To have been able to do my job as an actor for 36 years now, and never have a day out of work in our industry, is [an] honour in itself," she continued, before referencing her ambassadorial roles at the charities which "helped" her through "times of grief".
She also thanked her bosses at ITV for their "love and loyalty", adding: "I receive this today as the first ever cast member of Emmerdale to have been awarded a MBE, for me playing the role of Mandy Dingle is the gift that keeps of giving."
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"The finest feeling today, is I can truly feel my Mum's smile and her electric energy on my shoulder, the pride that her little girl 'DID IT'!!! Thank you so much, my heart is the warmest it could ever be," she concluded.
The star, who has also appeared in Strictly Come Dancing and I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, was congratulated by several followers in the comment section on her social media accounts.
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"Oh my golly gosh! Congratulations my lovely - I'm made up for you. So well deserved xxx" wrote one follower on X, while another commented: "So well deserved Lisa, congratulations, you've become one of our national treasures, hard work achieves rewards."
A third user was also full of support, noting: "Love this. You don't have to be a soap fan for your heart to swell like this. Just recognising a person that clearly devotes her all to improving outcomes for others."
The full list of the The King's Birthday Honours 2026 is available here. Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 8pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.
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