Mandy returns – what’s she hiding?
As Lisa Riley brings her beloved Mandy Dingle back to the Dales, she’s promising plenty of drama, intrigue – and fun…
When Mandy Dingle crashed back into the Dales at the start of this year, it was a belated Christmas gift worth waiting for. It had been almost two decades since Mandy had left her wayward clan behind – and while she stayed for only a handful of episodes, it was as if she’d never been away.
A seamless return is a challenge even the most legendary of soap characters
can struggle with, particularly after such an extended period of time – something Lisa Riley, who plays the Dingle dame, was well aware of.
“There’s a whole generation of Emmerdale viewers who wouldn’t have had a clue who Mandy is!” she chuckles ahead of Mandy’s latest reprise. “But I was blown away by the reaction when she came back. I’ve never seen so much excitement for a soap character’s return – there’s a lot of pressure on my shoulders!”
However, as Mandy makes a suitably shocking arrival yet again this week, we don’t reckon that pressure will linger for long…
We’re very happy to have more of Mandy, Lisa! So was this second return always on the cards?
No! When I came back for the last stint, I absolutely wasn’t coming back. Then at the start of the year I was asked, and asked again. There was lots of toing and froing.
But Mandy and her son Vinny left with that big secret hanging…
Well, there are two main reasons why she’s back this time. After I read the scripts, there was no way I wasn’t going to come back for it all to unfold! There’s more than one secret, and it’s not what everyone has been presuming, which I think will make it even better.
Can you give us any clues?
Last time she was back, she reckoned the Dingles were all a bit settled – and she wants to mix it up a bit. Mandy doesn’t have a home, so she wants cash, and she might even manipulate a few of the Dingles to get what she wants. She’ll do anything to get some money.
Is her boy Vinny set to be her partner in crime?
Well, he’s Mandy’s son and she’s taught him very well! I keep saying that Mandy has more faces than
Big Ben at the moment. But if you remember, when they left last time, Vinny said to Mandy, “Why didn’t you say what you were supposed to say?” So we’ll realise that it’s not just Mandy who’s hiding things…
Did you and Bradley Johnson, who plays Vinny, keep in touch after your last Dales stint?
We did, we were texting each other – I’ve been really mothering him! He’s over the moon that we’ve been welcomed back with open arms, and he’s a great actor.
How are relations between Mandy and Paddy and Chas this time around?
Phenomenal. Mandy’s not going to split them up – of course she’s not! That would be the most ludicrous idea ever. I think Mandy and Paddy will have a lifelong friendship, she’d never do him over, ever. And she loves Chas like a sister.
What’s it been like working with Lucy Pargeter (Chas)?
I feel as if I’ve met my twin in Luce – she’s a dream. It’s a beautiful friendship, both on screen and off.
Should we feel sorry for Dominic (Brunt, aka Paddy), stuck in the middle of the two of you?
Ha ha! We have to make him suffer – but he’s loving every second! I have so much love for that man. He brings sunshine to my day, he really does.
It’s safe to say Jessie won’t be happy to see Mandy again, when Mandy catches her snogging Al (see p8)…
That was hilarious to film, and of course Mandy will be using it to her advantage! She wants to move into Tall Trees, and Jessie’s boys are in her way…
Do you reckon that Mandy would be a friend of yours?
Of course! Mandy’s the girl you take to discos with you – she’s guaranteed fun. And she’ll get you home safe. She’s brutally honest, and the truest friend. But cross her and that’s it! There’s no forgiveness from Mandy, but she gives you all her heart, and her loyalty.
Do you miss working with Jane Cox (Lisa Dingle) after Lisa’s passing?
Yes, I loved Jane so much. I watched Lisa’s final scenes, which were stunning, as was Jane’s performance – and Eden Taylor-draper’s [Belle]. Talking as a girl who’s lost her own mother, those scenes were beautifully played. And because of Lisa’s death, Mandy has some rebuilding to do with her Uncle Zak, to prove that she’s back for the right reasons.
Kim Tate is another character who was around in Mandy’s early days – what’s it been like to be reunited with Claire King, who plays her?
Amazing! I saw Claire on my first day back and she said, “Nothing’s changed darlin’, apart from we’re a lot older…”! We’ve worked together on other things, and it’s lovely to see her again.
Will Mandy and Kim cross paths?
Well, I think I can tell you this – Mandy’s first line to Kim is, “Hi Cruella…”! All their history is there, in that one line. So far Mandy’s only run into her in the shop, but I’d love the writers to make us like Alexis and Krystle in Dynasty!
Might there be any romance in the offing for Mandy this time?
I don’t think she’s bothered about romance. She’ll just play men off against each other and manipulate them! She’ll pounce when she needs to pounce, but for her own gain – and no one’s out of bounds…
We can’t wait! So is Mandy going to be back for longer this time?
I’m back for a bit – and I can say that we’re about to film Christmas… After last time, people were saying, “How dare you only come back for four episodes?”, so I felt like I’d let people down. But Mandy has her Christmas knickers – that’s all I’m saying for now…