Langsford

Ruth Langsford congratulated her co-star at the start of Monday’s live programme

The host of Loose Women shared some exciting news during the latest live show.

Ruth Langsford took the reins on Monday (June 15), where she was joined by Lisa Riley, Sue Cleaver and Brenda Edwards in the ITV studio.

At the start of the programme, Ruth celebrated Lisa after she received an MBE in the King’s birthday honours. The Emmerdale actress is being recognised for her extensive services to drama and to charity.

Opening today’s Loose Women, Ruth said: “After first appearing in Emmerdale as a fresh-faced Mandy Dingle over 30 years ago, our fabulous Lisa has been recognised for her extensive services to drama and charity in this year’s King’s birthday honours list,” before the room erupted into applause.

Ruth continued: “Round of applause! Fantastic, how exciting! We’re so thrilled for you. How did you find out? When did you find out? How did you feel when you found out?”

Lisa replied: “Honestly, Ruth, this weekend has been absolutely incredible. So, I found out sort of late February. I’d been away with Al [Benković, her partner], we’d had a four-day weekend away and I opened the postbox and there was a very posh envelope. And when I say posh, I mean posh.

“It had my name on it and it said [that it] was from the King, and I was like, ‘Come on, this is an absolute wind up!’ I thought I was being pranked. Lo and behold, I opened it and it said for drama and for charity.”

The star went on: “I’m very blessed I’ve been doing a job I love in a world where I’ve been employed, touch wood, all my life, and I’m so grateful for that. To be honoured and also for people who got in touch with me, that’s been the craziest thing this weekend.

“I’ve had messages from people, like directors that I’ve worked with when I was like 21, and they’re just genuinely over the moon. At work, we have a Dingle WhatsApp group and every single one of the Dingles were like, ‘Go on girl! You’re doing it for the family!’

“Of course, I’m the first person ever at Emmerdale to have got anything like this, so I feel a bit royal!”

Ruth went on to say: “We’re buzzing for you, and actually, it was lovely [for you] to have both things, drama and charity. We know you do a lot for charities, in your mum’s name in particular… You absolutely deserve it.”

Lisa then shared a standout moment from her career away from the Dales, with the star being “forever grateful” her role in BBC drama Three Girls, which dramatised the events surrounding the Rochdale child sex abuse ring.

On what she’ll be wearing to pick up her MBE, Lisa added: “The frock’s going to be amazing, yeah. I’m going to go colour, you know I will. I’ll be taking my family… We’re told that it’s seven months from announcement that I’ll be going, and you don’t know whether you’ll get Windsor or Buckingham Palace.

“Fingers crossed, I really, really want [Prince] William. Is that selfish? I’d love William!”

Ruth noted: “I think he watches, so Your Highness…,” with Lisa adding: “Remember William, I’m a Dingle as well!” Lisa ended the conversation by thanking her co-stars for being her “cheerleaders”.

Loose Women airs weekdays on ITV1 and ITVX at 12.30pm