Why Marriage Isn't For Me

Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley has been happily engaged for five years but has no plans to tie the knot

- ALISON JAMES

Now Emmerdale's Mandy are back together, it could well be that they start making wedding plans. But that's certainly not on actress Lisa Riley's real-life agenda. While she's blissfully happy with fiance Al, marriage is the last thing on her mind.

"If it ain't broken, don't fix it!" she laughs. "We're very happy as we are, and while I love wearing the beautiful engagement ring Al gave me, I've never been the kind of girl who longs for a big, flouncy day with a horse and carriage - although that's just what Mandy would love. I'm never going to change my name, so really, what would be different? We call each other husband and wife and have been together for years and years and years."

There's another reason why Lisa's not keen on tying the knot - because her mum, Cath, who passed away in 2012, would not be there.

"We've lost both our mums - and when it comes to things like weddings you do it for the other people," she says.

"If I'm honest, I don't think I could cope with a wedding day without my mum being there. In Al I have found someone who loves me for me and vice versa, which I never thought would happen, and that's all that matters. As long as we're happy, we don't need wedding rings on our fingers. What difference would rings make? I wouldn't be able to wear a wedding band very much anyway because I've always got Mandy's jewellery on!"

While some couples like to do everything together, Lisa and Al enjoy a little independence from each other.