Heartbroken Lisa Riley confirms she skipped British Soap Awards over nan's death

Lisa Riley said she skipped the British Soap Awards due to the heartbreaking loss of her grandmother.

The soap actress, who has played Mandy Dingle in Emmerdale since 1995, was noticeably absent at the star-studded bash on Saturday leading to concerns about her well-being.

Co-star James Hooton said on the night that it was down to a 'family issue' and assured fans that she was doing well.

Riley, who missed out on celebrating with the cast as Emmerdale beat EastEnders and Coronation Street to bag Best Soap award, has now addressed her absence from the annual bash.

She wrote on Instagram: “Today, we know, will be the toughest day, we lean on each other, you are now at peace, yet we are all craving your energy around the house.

“God has gained another Angel. May you light up heaven with your warmth and your infectious smile. I will be trying to be strong for the both of us.”

On the night of the awards, that 45-year-old did take time out to congratulate her soap on both Twitter and Instagram.

She wrote: "CONGRATULATIONS to our entire cast-crew-production-writers-directors-EVERY department!!!! We did it... winners of best soap yes yes yes. TEAM TEAM TEAM."

Just a few days before the show, she was in great spirits and told fans how excited she was about attending the ceremony and even joked about what she was planning to wear.

“I have just purchased some shoes online for this years @SoapAwards 2022 they got delivered this morning," she tweeted.

"They are the shoes that Kate Middleton wears a lot!!! For some reason I can’t seem to walk like Kate Middleton. I am walking like a rugby player."

Read More: Emmerdale's Lisa Riley postpones wedding following her mother's death

The ceremony, which aired on ITV, was a big night for Emmerdale.

Not only did it win the biggest gong of the night with Best Soap, but the Dingles won Best Family, and Mark Charnock, who plays Marlon Dingle, bagged Best Dramatic Performance.

Meanwhile, actress Paige Sandhu, who plays serial killer Meena, won Best Leading Performance.

The British Soap Awards made its return at London's Hackney Empire after a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Phillip Schofield returned as host, with producers switching things up this year by refreshing the award categories.

There were 14 awards up for grabs, many of which were voted for by the public for the first time in the show's history.

Watch: Emmerdale cast on the 50th anniversary at British Soap Awards 2022