Emmerdale star Lisa Riley initially struggled with intense 1990s soap fame
Emmerdale star Lisa Riley shot to fame in 1995 when she joined the ITV soap as Mandy Dingle, but the actress initially struggled to cope with the intense amount of fame it gave her in the 1990s.
Lisa Riley battled "claustrophobia" and "panic attacks" due to intense Emmerdale fame in the 1990s.
The 49-year-old actress shot to stardom as the bolshy and "tart with a hart" Mandy Dingle in the ITV soap in 1995, but she initially struggled to cope with seeing her face on the front cover of glossy magazines to promote the mid-1990s storyline in which Mandy tried to win the heart of Dave Glover (Ian Kelsey), who ultimately rejected her for Kim Tate (Claire King).
Lisa told the new issue of Woman magazine: "I remember being in the supermarket, and I was on the cover of every magazine with the Mandy and Dave Glover storyline.
"I felt claustrophobic and started to have panic attacks.
"Me, [and EastEnders stars] Patsy Palmer and Martine McCutcheon were the tabloid 'faces of soap' and were followed everywhere like pop stars.
"Initially, it was hard."
Lisa did not seek therapy to help deal with her fame, but instead, she just plowed on.
The star added: "I never had therapy, my mum was my rock and would tell me to keep going.
"I pride myself on being grounded and haven't had a panic attack for years.
"Now the young'uns at Emmerdale come to me for advice.
"They don't have as much tabloid attention as I did, it's a different world now, the trolls are so vitriolic.
"But I'm there for them, they call me 'Nana'!"
As Mandy is a legendary character in Emmerdale, some people think Lisa is like her alter ego.
She explained: "I was out once, and this girl came over with a load of Jager shots.
"I explained I didn't drink, and she replied, 'Shut up, you're Mandy Dingle!'
"I must be doing something right if everyone believes I'm up for doing Jagers!
"I'm happy with a mint tea in the corner, my life is quiet, but I live vicariously through Mandy - she keeps my disco and karaoke legs alive!"
Lisa left Emmerdale in 2001 to host the humorous home video show You've Been Framed!, but she made a permanent comeback to the soap in 2019.
And Lisa still adores playing Mandy after 30 years.
She said: "The Emmerdale writers still say she is a joy to write for, it's amazing.
"I never got bored of her, and neither has the show, so it's a win-win.
"To think a character has survived all these years is amazing.
"Mandy has always been about the three L's - loveable, lashes and leopard print!"
