Emmerdale star Lisa Riley has been forced to publicly shut down a wave of hurtful pregnancy rumours, speaking out with raw honesty after online speculation cruelly contradicted

her deeply personal revelations about infertility and IVF. The actress, who has been a familiar face on British television for decades and is beloved by soap fans for her portrayal of

Mandy Dingle, found herself at the centre of an upsetting storm just days after opening up about one of the most painful chapters of her life.

The controversy erupted following Lisa’s appearance on Loose Women, where she joined fellow panellists Kaye Adams, Oti Mabuse and Janet Street Porter for a candid discussion about motherhood, life choices and the emotional realities many women face behind closed doors. What began as a brave and heartfelt conversation quickly took a dark turn when false reports and clickbait headlines began circulating online, claiming the actress was pregnant.

For Lisa, the timing could not have been more cruel.

During the programme, the 47-year-old spoke openly about her long journey with IVF and the difficult acceptance that becoming a mother was not meant to be part of her story. It was a moment of vulnerability that resonated deeply with viewers, particularly women who have faced similar struggles with fertility, faith and expectation.

Lisa, who has been in a long-term relationship with her partner Al since 2014, explained how her upbringing and beliefs shaped many of her early life decisions. Raised Catholic, she revealed how ideas about marriage, contraception and family were “drummed in” from a young age—beliefs that stayed with her as she focused on building a demanding and successful career.

Reflecting on her past, Lisa explained how technology and fertility awareness tools that are now widely available simply weren’t an option earlier in her life. She spoke of waiting for the right partner, prioritising her work, and only later realising that time was no longer on her side. When she and Al finally tried to conceive, they were faced with the devastating reality that pregnancy would not come naturally.

Her words on Loose Women were honest and quietly heartbreaking. Lisa admitted she would have given “everything” to have had a child, describing the emotional toll of IVF and the moment she realised it was taking too much from her. In one of the most poignant moments of the discussion, she recalled Al gently urging her to stop treatment, recognising that the process was eroding her happiness and sense of self.

Ultimately, Lisa said she had come to accept that some things in life are not meant to be—an acceptance that did not come easily, but one she has worked hard to find peace with. She emphasised that while she does not have children of her own, she still considers herself incredibly fortunate. Her close bond with her niece and nephew, she said, has helped shape her sense of family and fulfilment.

It was a powerful, compassionate message—one rooted in truth, resilience and emotional growth.

Yet just days later, Lisa was blindsided by a flood of congratulatory messages, as rumours spread online falsely claiming she was pregnant. What made the situation especially distressing was not just the lie itself, but how sharply it clashed with the reality she had just shared with millions of viewers.

Taking to Instagram Stories, the actress did not hide her anger or hurt. In a video message that was both furious and deeply personal, Lisa addressed the rumours head-on, making it abundantly clear that the claims were completely untrue.

“This is no one’s fault apart from fake news, clickbait—and oh my God, what world do we live in?” she said. “I am 100% not pregnant.”

Lisa revealed she had been inundated with messages congratulating her, something she described as “sickening” given her recent public discussion about infertility. The emotional weight of having strangers speculate so casually about something so painful was evident as she continued.

“Only this week on Loose Women I was talking about the fact that me and Al couldn’t get pregnant,” she said. “We tried IVF and it didn’t work. But still, very strange people out there feel the need to clickbait and put out fake news that I am pregnant. Well, I’m not.”

Her frustration extended beyond the rumours themselves, as she took aim at the wider culture of misinformation, AI-generated content and sensationalist headlines. In a moment that perfectly captured her defiance, Lisa ended the video by raising her middle finger—a blunt but powerful gesture that many fans applauded.

She followed up the video with a caption that left no room for ambiguity: “The truth… FROM ME!!! Stop believing all the lies on here PLEASE… FAKE NEWS is getting out of hand!!!!”

Lisa also offered a pointed reminder to her followers and readers everywhere, urging them to verify information before believing or sharing it. “If I was pregnant, I might have told people,” she said. “Just food for thought.”

The response from fans was swift and overwhelmingly supportive. Messages of love and solidarity flooded her social media, with many expressing outrage on her behalf. Followers described the rumours as “vile,” “disgusting,” and “cruel,” particularly given her openness about such a sensitive subject.

Several fans praised Lisa for calling out the misinformation so directly, while others shared their own experiences of fertility struggles and invasive speculation. For many, her response highlighted a wider issue facing women in the public eye: the persistent scrutiny of their bodies, reproductive choices and personal lives.

This episode has cast a harsh spotlight on the darker side of celebrity culture, where clicks and headlines often come at the expense of empathy. Lisa Riley’s experience serves as a sobering reminder that behind every rumour is a real person, carrying real pain and real history.

Despite the hurt caused by the false claims, Lisa’s willingness to speak openly—and forcefully—has only strengthened the admiration many feel for her. Her honesty, both on Loose Women and on social media, has sparked important conversations about infertility, misinformation and respect.

As she continues her role on Emmerdale and her wider television work, one thing is clear: Lisa Riley refuses to be silenced, misrepresented or diminished. In standing up for herself, she has also stood up for countless others who know all too well the damage that careless words and false narratives can cause.