How old is Lisa Riley, is she returning to Emmerdale and how much weight has she lost?
LISA Riley is best known for her role in Emmerdale as Mandy Dingle.
Here's everything you need to know about the actress who is set to return to the soap...
Who is Lisa Riley? What's her background?
Lisa Riley was born in 1976 in Bury, Manchester and become a much-loved face on British telly with her character Mandy Dingle on Emmerdale.
She has also taken part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2012, replaced Jeremy Beadle in You've Been Framed from 1998- 2003, and also had a role in Waterloo Road for two years.
Lisa has been a permanent member of the Loose Women panel since late 2016.
The actress is a dedicated vegetarian and supporter of the Labour party.
Is Lisa Riley returning to Emmerdale?
Lisa Riley is set to return to Emmerdale in early 2019, 18 years after she left the soap.
Lisa said: “I could not be happier to be returning. I am so interested to see what trouble Mandy is capable of causing.”
The actress first joined the cast of Emmerdale in 1995.
During her five year stint on the show, Mandy was a member of the famed Dingle clan and worked at the Woolpack pub.
She met and fell in love with the hapless vet Paddy, despite being married to her cousin, Butch.
She got married to Paddy in 1999 but ended up having an affair with her college lecturer.
After confessing the truth she left the village in 2001 to start a new life in London.
Paddy is now in a relationship with Chas so her return is likely to cause a stir.
How did Lisa Riley lose weight?
Lisa Riley has had an ongoing public battle with her weight which she eventually overcame - losing an astonishing twelve stone, six pounds.
She dropped the lbs by changing her diet and giving up alcohol and she lost a stone in one week after eating only 400 calories a day.
She later admitted on Loose Women that following the weight loss, she underwent a boob surgery, referring to her chest as "digitally enhanced".
Lisa explained: “They’re not implants. After my op, you’re not allowed to shower for 11 days. I got in the shower thinking heaven. I’ve got nothing to lift up, they’re just there.”
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What has Lisa Riley said about gastric bands?
In October 2016, Lisa took a lie detector test on Loose Women to prove she hadn't used a gastric band.
Speaking to Ruth Langsford, Anne Diamond and Janet Street-Porter, Lisa explained: "I'm tired of the gastric band rumours. It's been constant.
"When I came on the show for the big reveal, 93 per cent of people were supportive. But the other per cent are calling me a liar and it's becoming more and more."
She continued: "What I've done is a good achievement. I did this my way. Why would I lie? Why would you accuse me of lying?
"People who have had gastric bands... good on you but I lost this my way. I just want to help other men and women who might be wanting to do the same as me."
The lie detector results confirmed that she had been telling the truth.