Emmerdale star Lisa Riley promises huge new story for Mandy Dingle

 "It's going to be incredible."

Emmerdale star Lisa Riley has promised a huge new story for Mandy Dingle as well as some exciting festive scenes.

Speaking to Inside Soap, the Mandy Dingle star said that fans desperately want Mandy and Paddy to get back together while teasing an enormous new storyline for her character.

"The whole nation wants to see Mandy and Paddy together," she revealed. "But it's soap, as you know, and we will keep this carrot dangling for a long time."

"What I can tell you is I have an enormous storyline coming which starts in February – you can't see my dining room table for scripts right now," she teased.

Remaining tight-lipped about the upcoming storyline, Riley said it is going to be one to watch, even calling it her favourite since returning to the soap in 2019.

"I'd even go as far as to say that it's probably my favourite storyline since I've come back to Emmerdale. It's going to be incredible."

Promising a dazzling outfit for Mandy on Christmas Day consisting of a tinsel cardigan, Riley likened her outfits to the Met Gala.

It's a joy, I love seeing the reaction of all the crew when I walk out and they go: 'What is she wearing?' It's like the Met Gala of Emmerdale," she quipped.

Festive episodes of the soap will see Cain and Chas' secret brother Caleb arrive on Christmas Day, but despite the tensions this brings, Riley promised a packed, and surprising, Christmas lunch at the Dingle's.

"We filmed Christmas lunch at the Dingle house, and you couldn't get more people in one set if you tried.

"Charity's there with Mackenzie, Sarah and Noah, Chas drops some gifts off, then Doctor Liam pops in to check on Vinny. Of course it's Belle's birthday too, and Lydia and Mandy have a surprise for her – all I'll say is that it's not a gift, it's a person."

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