Emmerdale's Lisa Riley says she is 'clearer and happier' after five years sober
Emmerdale star Lisa Riley has opened up about her life after ditching alcohol in an emotional new Instagram post addressing the life-change
Emmerdale's Lisa Riley says she is “clearer and happier” now she is five years sober and urged others to live their lives away from things which are “fake and false”.
Lisa, known to millions as Mandy Dingle marked her five years without a drink with an emotional message to her followers on social media, saying how proud she felt and how her life had changed in the last 60 months or 1827 days.
The 44-year-old said: “Five years ago today I drank my last drop of alcohol. I wouldn't change it for anything.
“My life is so much clearer, happier, gained more glow, laugh so much harder, having the life I always dreamt of, no fake friendships, needing that someone who NEVER knows when to go home.
“Not cringing when I open my eyes(have I argued with anyone) not remembering. Living on stories in the past...they are done, they happened, move forward.”
She went on to suggest some of her old friends who she drank with were around her “for the wrong reasons” and were there because “you are paying for the alcohol”.
She urged people to consider giving up or reducing their alcohol intake and insisted she doubts she would ever drink again.
She said: “Have a think, you might NOT drink.... yeah yeah yeah that rhymes [crying laughing emojis] enjoy a drink, should you wish (I won't) don't get saturated in it, big big difference.
'Feel so so so proud, that it's not in my life, and you know what?? I doubt it ever will be again. Cheers.”
Her lengthy post got lots of comments, including one for her co-star on Emmerdale Danny Miller who plays Aaron Dingle.
He said: “Inspirational, Lisa! And Mandy is still up there with the funniest drunk characters in soap so best of both worlds! Be proud, I think you’re great.”
Lisa responded saying: Thanks Dan, means a lot, proud day. I get to live vicariously through Mandy.”
The actress has previously reflected on her sobriety in 2018 in an appearance on Loose Women when she said that she was forced to give up alcohol due to “changes”.
The Emmerdale star also said she would order drinks in bars that could pass for alcohol at a glance, to avoid questions from friends on why she wouldn't drink.
She said: “It's coming up to three years since I had a drink because of the change and stuff.
“When I go out I'd think right I'll have a fizzy water with lime because it looks like a gin and tonic to stop people going, ''Oh, why aren't you drinking?!'”
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