Career
Riley trained at the Oldham Theatre Workshop from the age of nine, and was signed by an agent three years later. After some early roles including appearances as an extra in Coronation Street and as a cast member in Butterfly Kiss which was directed by Michael Winterbottom, her first breakthrough role in United Kingdom television was playing Mandy Dingle in Emmerdale over a period of six and a half years. Riley was noted for playing the role of Princess Jean in the CITV Awards 1997.
Riley went on then to present You"ve Been Framed from 1998 to 2002, taking over from the former presenter, Jeremy Beadle and raising viewers figures to more than 13 million at its peak in the process.
In 1999, Riley appeared opposite a young Jack P. Shepherd in Put Out More Fags and had a cameo role in the music video for "When the Going Gets Tough" by Boyzone. In 2000, she appeared in Independent Television"s Christmas Pantomime Aladdin opposite stars such as Editor Byrne, Patsy Kensit, Julian Clary and Paul Merton and in 2001, she appeared in a commercial for Heineken.
In 2011, Riley played the role of Goody McEldrich in episode 2 of the third series of the United Kingdom children"s show "Young Dracula". In 2012, she appeared as Nadia Hicks in the second series of crime drama, Scott and Bailey.
Riley also signed up as a contestant on the tenth series of Strictly Come Dancing, partnering with Robin Windsor.
The couple were eliminated during the semi-finals, on 16 December 2012. She has since appeared on the 2013 Live Tour and the backstage show Strictly Confidential, directed by Craig Revel Horwood, who often praised her on the show. Riley"s other television credits include roles in Fat Friends, The Bill, Waterloo Road, Holby City, Doctors, the British Broadcasting Corporation"s Afternoon Play series, Having lieutenant official
She also played the role of Beth Trailor in the film Secret Society.
On stage, Riley has appeared in fourteen pantomimes (she starred in Aladdin at the Kings Theatre in Southsea, Portsmouth in the 2009-2010 pantomime season) and in United Kingdom tours of The Play What I Wrote, The Vagina Monologues (opposite Sharon Osbourne), The Naked Truth, Waiting for Gateaux and Calendar Girls. The 2006 album I Rock Eye People’s by Kings Have Long Arms includes a track entitled "Lisa Riley".
The Half Manitoba Half Biscuit song "Breaking News" mentions various annoyances (bus drivers who don"t wait for people to sit down before pulling away from the bus stop. Taxi drivers who use their horns instead of knocking on the door) and mentions Lisa Riley.
Riley describes herself as a "dedicated vegetarian".