Emmerdale star Lisa Riley, who plays Mandy Dingle, has spoken about how proud she is of her co-star Eden Taylor-Draper, who has faced tough storylines as Belle on the soap
Mandy Dingle, played by Lisa Riley, is set for a joyous occasion as she gets ready to tie the knot with her Prince Charming, Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brunt) in Emmerdale. In contrast, Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper) is desperate to break free from her marriage and the grip of her abusive husband, Tom King (James Chase). Lisa Riley, who portrays Mandy Dingle, has expressed her disbelief at the stark contrast between the two relationships and shares her immense pride in her co-star.
“We’ve just had Belle and Tom’s wedding, which is very different from Paddy and Mandy’s,” Lisa reveals. “As a show, it’s incredible that we’ve taken a wedding with Belle and Tom that should be glorious but as it’s played out since then, it’s been horrific, and it’s only getting worse.”
“I’m the proudest aunt to Eden, I get emotional about it,” Lisa continues. “I remember when we filmed the dinner party episode, I spoke with Eden, and those days were hard for her. After day two of filming the dinner party, we went back to the dressing room and I gave her a hug and said ‘do you have any idea how proud I am of you?'” She’s just incredible, I love her.”
Eden Taylor-Draper has won praise from co-star Lisa Riley for her portrayal of abused wife Belle (Image: ITV)
“Eden deals with it brilliantly too, and it’s hard, long days playing that emotion. We’re all messing around on set and she has to stay quiet in the corner. I want her to win everything, and I will be her biggest cheerleader.”
The Dingle family has been at the centre of numerous topical storylines in Emmerdale, from Marlon Dingle’s (Mark Charnock) stroke to Lydia Dingle’s (Karen Blick) sexual abuse, and Chas Dingle (Lucy Pargeter) being diagnosed with breast cancer. “The proudest part of being in Emmerdale for me is when we nail a storyline that hopefully helps people and raises awareness.
“For example, coercive control happens everyday in some people’s lives and I lost my own mother to breast cancer, and we saw that Chas had that storyline. We share a dressing room, us six Dingle girls, everyone calls it the ‘bonkers room.’ But we can all lean on one another, we have this real bond.”
Lisa’ character Mandy is set to remarry Paddy
Lisa Riley has high hopes for her character Mandy and Paddy, who first tied the knot 25 years ago, and have since reunited. “When I returned to the show six years ago, it was inevitable that Mandy and Paddy would get back together. They are best friends and soulmates, he loves her mayhem. She can be whacky, but he just smiles at Mandy and goes ‘well, that’s my girl.'” The couple are hoping to make it down the aisle in upcoming episodes, but when a secret is revealed, it threatens to derail the big day.
