Lisa Riley has shared an emotional and positive health update with fans after returning to hospital for the next stage of her recovery following surgery on her thumb.
The much-loved Emmerdale actress, best known to millions of ITV viewers as Mandy Dingle, revealed that she has finally had her cast removed nine weeks after undergoing an operation on her injured thumb.
Lisa first told fans about the accident back in March, explaining that she had suffered a painful fall at home. At the time, the actress made it clear the incident had nothing to do with alcohol, joking firmly that there should be “no drunk jokes” as she explained what had really happened.
According to Lisa, the accident involved an extremely slippery breakfast stool and a woollen cardigan — with her left thumb taking the full force of the fall.
The injury was serious enough to require surgery to treat her UCL, a ligament in the thumb. After the operation, Lisa praised the NHS, describing her care as the health service “at the absolute best” while joking that she had some strong pain relief to help her through the early recovery period.
Now, weeks later, Lisa has given fans the update they had been hoping for.
In a new Instagram video shared on May 26, the former I’m A Celebrity star was seen walking through the corridors of the hospital after attending an appointment. Clearly delighted, Lisa told followers that she no longer needed to wear her cast.
“GREAT NEWS!!!!” she wrote in the caption, before explaining that it had been nine weeks since her thumb operation.
“So I’ve just left hospital this morning and it’s nine weeks since I had my operation on my thumb… I am cast free,” she shared.
Although Lisa is not fully finished with her recovery, the update marks a major step forward. She told fans she will continue with physiotherapy and will keep doing exercises at home as she works to regain strength and movement in her thumb.
The actress also took the opportunity to thank the hospital staff who have supported her throughout the process, giving special praise to Leeds Hospitals, NHS Leeds and the wider NHS team.
“Back on the road to recovery,” Lisa added, making it clear that while the journey has not been easy, she is finally moving in the right direction.
Fans quickly rushed to the comments section to celebrate the good news and send Lisa messages of support.
One follower wrote that they were “so happy” to see her on the mend, adding that she was doing brilliantly with her physio. Another fan said they understood exactly how she felt, revealing that they had suffered a similar injury two years earlier.
Others were stunned by how quickly time had passed since Lisa first had surgery, with one person commenting: “How is that 9 weeks?!?! Glad you’re on the mend.”
Another simply wrote: “Great news Lisa.”
For Lisa, the update appears to be more than just a medical milestone. After weeks of discomfort, hospital visits and recovery exercises, being cast free is a powerful sign that normal life is slowly returning.
And for her loyal fans, seeing her smiling, grateful and determined has made the update even more heartwarming.
After a painful fall, surgery and weeks of healing, Lisa Riley is finally stepping into the next chapter of her recovery — and her supporters could not be happier to see it.
