Emmerdale star shares heartbreak over family death weeks after Strictly partner died
Emmerdale icon, Lisa Riley, has opened up about losing a loving family member within mere weeks of the tragic loss of her Strictly Come Dancing partner — Robin Windsor
Lisa Riley has lost a beloved family member just weeks of the death of her Strictly Come Dancing partner Robin Windsor.
The 47-year-old actress, who entertains the nation playing Mandy Dingle in Emmerdale, took to social media on Monday to deliver the heartbreaking news that her Aunty Joyce had passed away.
In 2012, the esteemed performer dealt with the emotional loss of her mother and subsequently turned to Joyce for support. Her Aunty went above and beyond to help her emotionally, with the actress referring to the great woman as her ‘second mum’.
In a testament to her spirit, in the same year as losing her adoring parent, Lisa displayed her fighting heart, competing on Strictly Come Dancing, where she developed a wonderful relationship with Robin. Thus, it comes as no surprise that the news that he was found dead in a hotel room in London in February really hit home.
“Gave me confidence when I didn’t think I could do it, Aunty Joyce. Let me dress up, put makeup on and sing endless songs from Annie, Aunty Joyce. Who I drank my last glass of wine EVER with before I became sober, Aunty Joyce.”
She continued: “You lived your life to the absolute fullest, travelled the world, and I listened. It became my hunger to discover all the world has to offer. Your heart is bigger than anyone I have ever known; your kindness and empathy shone from you.’
Aunty Joyce played a prominent role in Lisa’s life in many aspects, but none more so than the advice she dished out, regularly helping the actress through some of life’s toughest hurdles.
“You know me inside out, back to front, and everything in between,’ she said. ‘I trust you the most, always have. REST IN PEACE. Who can I watch “BEACHES” with now???? We’ve only watched it over a hundred times.”
She added: “I love you, always will, but MOSTLY I thank you – for your time, endless time, when you knew I really needed it. You went to heaven on Mother’s Day, I can’t quite believe this. the biggest love to Uncle Jess and Si xxx.”
The news is undoubtedly even tougher to deal with when the timing is taken into account. The much-loved actress is still going through the grieving period of losing her Strictly partner.
In the aftermath of his passing, Lisa uploaded a collage of snaps of the pair’s best moments, which she captioned: “My Bestie, My Robin, My Angel…….now our forever Angel, who is loved, will always be loved, forever in my heart……my very broken heart. I love you; shine your beautiful, electric energy from heaven. SHINE IN PEACE.”
