Emmerdale star Lisa Riley has expressed her delight at being appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours, calling it the "best 50th birthday present". The actor, who will celebrate her half-century on 13 July, is recognised for her extensive services to drama and to charity.Riley, best known for her long-running role as Mandy Dingle in the ITV soap from 1995 to 2001 and again since 2019, shared her profound gratitude for the honour. "Wow if this is not my best 50th birthday present being awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours list, I don’t know what is," she said. "I am being awarded an MBE, Member of the Order of the British Empire, for my services to drama and to charity. To say I am humbled is an absolute understatement. To have been able to do my job as an actor for 36 years now, never having a day out of work in our industry, is an honour in itself."Riley charity work comes from a personal experience with her mother, who died from pancreatic cancer (Getty)Riley’s dedication to charity work stems from a deeply personal experience, having lost her mother, Cath, to pancreatic cancer. She made a promise to her mother to use her public platform to support others. "My platform has enabled me to be an ambassador for my chosen charities: Breast Cancer Now, Maggie’s Yorkshire, Sane and Sue Ryder," Riley explained. "These charities, since losing my beloved mum Cath to cancer, have helped me at times of grief, when I personally needed them the most. So, giving back was the least I could do. I made that promise to my mum before she died: I told her I would help as many families as possible, as we are all in this together, and we understand."Riley also extended her thanks to ITV for their "love and loyalty" over the years, noting the significance of her award. "I receive this today as the first ever cast member of Emmerdale to have been awarded an MBE," she stated. "For me playing the role of Mandy Dingle is the gift that keeps on giving. Not only that, being a woman in our industry, sisterhood means everything to me. The finest feeling today is that I can truly feel my mum’s smile and her electric energy on my shoulders, the pride that her little girl ‘DID IT’!" She concluded by thanking her partner Al and her family, adding: "Thank you so much, my heart is the warmest it could ever be."Iain Macleod, creative director of continuing drama at ITV, offered his "hearty congratulations" on behalf of the broadcaster and the soap, describing the honour as "well-deserved". Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 dayNew subscribers only. £9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.Try for freeADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 dayNew subscribers only. £9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.Try for freeADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.Riley was a contestant on I’m a Celebrity 2025 (ITV)He praised Riley, saying: "As Mandy Dingle, she is a much-beloved presence on the nation’s screens and she is no less loved by her friends and colleagues at Emmerdale for her compassion and indefatigable positivity. This warmth and big-heartedness is in evidence in the amazing work she does for the many charities she so passionately supports. Lisa is a genuine force for good in the world and we’re all delighted for her."Beyond Emmerdale, Riley’s career includes appearances as a contestant on the 10th series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2012, and I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2025, where she placed fifth. Her other screen credits include Fat Friends, Age Before Beauty, and presenting You’ve Been Framed between 1998 and 2002, as well as being a panellist on Loose Women.