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Emmerdale star Lisa Riley opens up over real-life relationship

lisa riley
Emmerdale star opens up on real-life relationshipGetty Images

Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley has opened up about her real-life relationship with her long-term partner Al.

Riley, best known for playing Mandy Dingle on the ITV show, also spoke about previously finding it hard to date, as well as some trust issues she experienced on her journey to finding love.

Riley met musician Al at a Strictly Come Dancing tour event in 2014. Speaking to Kate Thornton on the podcast White Wine Question Time, she said that she loved that he didn't know who she was.

She added that it was the show's hair and make-up team that spotted the connection between the two of them, saying: "If you tell hair and make-up, anything, they put paprika on the story and times it by 65."

Related: Emmerdale star Lisa Riley discusses the importance of Paddy's devastating story

The couple got engaged in 2018, with Riley saying that Al's laid-back attitude is just what she needs and helps to ground her, adding: "I'm, you know, a Catherine wheel, and that's what works and that's what I needed."

In a candid chat on the podcast, Riley also opened up about her dating past prior to meeting Al, saying "I didn't want to let my guard down."

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Getty Images

Related: Emmerdale star Lisa Riley promises huge new story for Mandy Dingle

"I used to test men, I used to have, like, questions… for what reason were they even talking to me?" she continued.

"You know, they just want to walk the red carpet for an Inside Soap Awards and get a free suit. I mean, but it's true."

Riley also revealed that at times, she questioned if there would ever "be a person out there for me".

The actress previously reflected on the couple's recent decision not to get married, saying: "We don't want to change anything. Both of us talk about it all the time and feel as long as we're happy we don't need rings on our fingers.

"We've lost both our mums. And when it comes to things like weddings, you do it for the other people. I'm never going to change my name, so really, what would be different?

"Plus, I've always said I'm not the kind of girl who wants a big flouncy day with a horse and carriage."

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.

Read more Emmerdale spoilers on our dedicated homepage

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