Emmerdale’s Lisa Riley has teased a reunion between exes Paddy and Mandy Dingle, insisting the ‘nation wants it’.
The pair are set to grow close again as Mandy supports him in the wake of his painful split from cheating wife Chas Dingle.
However, in a new interview, Mandy actress Lisa, 46, has told that despite her character having feelings for the vet again, she doesn’t want to be treated ‘like a doormat’.
She told Metro: ‘They just start talking about day trips they had in Blackpool. It’s full nostalgia. And then their song comes on, which is Tina Turner’s What’s Love Got To Do With It, and Mandy’s fighting and fighting. They’re locking eyes and Mandy is going, ‘No.’ Mandy doesn’t want to be a doormat again.
She went on: ‘She’s always been a doormat when it comes to relationships and she refuses, because she knows it’s not right and I think in the back of her head she can also hear the rest of the family going, ‘Mandy, don’t do it.’ But when Tina Turner comes on they think it’s a sign, someone’s telling them.’
Nostalgia: Emmerdale’s Lisa Riley has teased a reunion between exes Paddy and Mandy Dingle, insisting the ‘nation wants it’ (pictured on their wedding day in 1999)
The two have had an on and off relationship over the years since 1999, with the two going on to marry in 1999 before they split due to infidelity.
But Lisa insists that soap lovers up and down the country would love to see the pair have another go of things.
She explained: ‘All over social media, it’s what they want. What we did realise was when the pandemic hit everybody was watching Paddy and Mandy on the lunchtime and they just loved it. That generation weren’t even born.’
She went on to say that there are a new generation of teens watching the nostalgia show that ‘loved’ the relationship that soap writers formed ‘all those many, many years ago.’
Next week, viewers will see Paddy grow close to his ex Mandy again, as he continues to struggle in the wake of his split from cheating wife Chas.
After his attempt to get back into the dating pool ends in disaster, Paddy is left feeling isolated after his spouse tears a strip off him for his controlling behaviour, sparking Mandy to step in and offer her support.
As they enjoy a bottle of wine together, the former flames descend into hysterical laughter, but as they struggle to make eye contact, could this be the start of a rekindled romance?
Stay strong: However, in a new interview, Mandy actress Lisa, 46, has told that despite her character having feelings for the vet again, she doesn’t want to be treated ‘like a doormat’
Relationship: The two have had an on and off relationship over the years since 1999, with the two going on to marry in 1999 before they split due to infidelity (pictured in 2000)
Love again? Next week, viewers will see Paddy grow close to his ex Mandy again, as he continues to struggle in the wake of his split from cheating wife Chas
In the upcoming scenes, Bear (Joshua Richards) surprises Paddy when he reveals he’s set up a double date, and while Paddy remains polite, he is horrified he’s being forcibly thrown back into the dating pool.
Bear doesn’t get the hint that Paddy isn’t in the right headspace for socialising as he encourages him to hit the town with their dates Carol and Bev.
Luckily, Paddy thinks up an excuse and sighs with relief as Bear leaves with Carol and Bev, but the next day, Chas (Lucy Pargeter) is taken aback when she thinks she overhears Paddy bragging about being single.
Shortly after, when Chas flirtatiously banters with Kev the drayman, Paddy is cut deep.
Tough time: After his attempt to get back into the dating pool ends in disaster, Paddy is left feeling isolated after Chas tears a strip off him for his controlling behaviour
Back in the game! In the upcoming scenes, Bear surprises Paddy when he reveals he’s set up a double date, even though it’s clear he isn’t ready
Having had enough of his treatment of her, Chas puts Paddy in his place over his controlling behaviour and reminds him that it’s his choice to remain living with her.
Mandy is concerned as the exchange leaves Paddy looking bereft, and the next day, Paddy tries to hide from his ex but has no luck.
As Paddy admits he’s lost, Mandy wordlessly moves in to hold her broken ex-partner, admitting she knows hard it can be to move forward when you still love someone.
Paddy is quietly struck by Mandy’s observation and senses that perhaps she knows how he feels right now.
Ending in disaster! Bear doesn’t get the hint that Paddy isn’t in the right headspace for socialising, but luckily he makes his excuses and leaves
Annoyed: After he becomes irked by her flirty behaviour, Chas puts Paddy in his place over his controlling behaviour and reminds him that it’s his choice to remain living with her
Back at the Woolpack, as they open a bottle of wine, the former flames both find themselves coyly avoiding making eye contact – as the implication of Mandy’s words hangs between them.
As the afternoon draws on, Paddy and Mandy reminisce through music and dissolve into helpless, cathartic, alcohol-fuelled laughter. Mandy wrestles with her conscience as she locks eyes with drunk Paddy.
As the pair fall into bed together, could this lead to a rekindled romance?
Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1, and ITVX.
Difficult: Mandy is concerned as the exchange leaves Paddy looking bereft, and as the pair relive old memories over a bottle of wine – could this lead to a rekindled romance?
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