Actor James Hooton, who plays Sam Dingle, couldn’t leave her out as he led the speech as the actors stepped up to collect the gong for Best Family

Members of Emmerdale’s Dingle family sent their love to Lisa Riley as she missed the ITV Soap Awards due to a ‘family issue’ on Saturday night (June 11).

Actor James Hooton, who plays Sam Dingle, led the speech as the actors stepped up to collect the gong for Best Family. He revealed Riley couldn’t be at the awards due to a “family issue”.

It comes after the Emmerdale star announced the death of her nana yesterday (June 10). Hooton said he wanted to say hello to the actress “who is not here tonight because she’s got a family issue”. He added: “So lots of love to Lisa.”

Lisa, who was watching along at home, wrote on Instagram: “CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR DINGLE FAMILY @thebritishsoapawards @emmerdale just an average day for the “DINGLES” scrapping in the street #proud #family #awards #dingles #emmerdale I am and always will be proud to be a DINGLE!!! Best family WINNERS….voted by YOU the viewers.”

Lisa shared a tribute to her nana, writing: “We love you Nana. Today, we know, will be the toughest day, we lean on each other, you are now at peace, yet we are all craving your energy around the house. God has gained another Angel.”

She added: “May you light up heaven with your warmth and your infectious smile. I will be try to be strong for the both of us.”

She added the hashtags #rip and #restinpeace, as well as #Nana and #love and #funeral. Lisa also hashtagged #sad and #grief as well as #motherinlaw, #pain, #support and #angel and #heaven.

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