Lisa Riley 'would love Emmerdale return'

Lisa Riley has said that she would love to see Mandy Dingle return to Emmerdale in a romantic twist.

Riley left the Dales soap in 2001 after five years of portraying bubbly Mandy and told Inside Soap that fans of the programme still ask about whether she would return.

The 34-year-old suggested that there may be a window of opportunity for her to come looking for former-husband Paddy Kirk, portrayed by Dominic Brunt, who is currently dating Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry), who is expecting a child from her relationship with Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock).

"It's lovely because people beg me to bring Mandy back all the time, even now," she said.

"Paddy and Mandy did spend one last night together before she left, so I like to think that she might have fallen pregnant as a result. I'd love to walk right through that village with a mini-Mandy in tow dressed head to toe in leopard print, looking for Paddy!"

Speaking of her stint in the show, Riley admitted: "Hand on heart, I genuinely thought it was going to be just one episode.

"Everyone liked Mandy, though. She was the sort of girl who could live on your street - everyone's friend.

"I loved playing her and I'll be grateful for that part until the day I die."