Emmerdale star pens farewell announcement as colleague quits soap for rival show

Emmerdale actor Lisa Riley bid farewell to a much loved colleague in a heartwarming tribute. The star, who plays Mandy Dingle on the soap, reacted to the news her longtime pal was moving to rival show Coronation Street. She paid tribute to her much adored colleague and friend, who she described as having "delicious energy". The Dales actress was quickly inundated with messages from soap fans after she shared the news.

Lisa's colleague Joseph Hart, who she referred to as Joe, works behind the scenes of everyone's favourite Yorkshire soap, but is now swapping the Dales for Weatherfield in his next job. In Lisa's post on Instagram, Joe can be seen showing off his acting skills in the salon. Lisa pretends that she's just been on the phone to Audrey's (Sue Nicholls) salon on the cobbles, and tells Joe he can check there for an appointment. Joe then waved to the camera.

The soap star's message read: "To our beautiful friend and colleague who we all adore at @emmerdale the stunning @hart_joseph we want to wish you all the love and luck in the world as you start your new adventure over the other side of the M62 at @coronationstreet we will miss you and your delicious energy so much...go and be you-they will fall in love with you very soon friends for life, love your #Emmerdale family.

She added the hashtags: "#goodluck #loveyou."

Fellow cast members and fans flocked to the comment section to wish him well.

Olivia Bromley, who plays Dawn Taylor, said: "We love you Joe!", while Vanessa Woodfield star Michelle Hardwick said: "Awwwww Joe! We'll miss you so much!!!!"

Meanwhile, Emmerdale fans will have to cope without the villagers as the soap is off for five days next week.

The show aired a cliffhanger this week as Robert Sugden was revealed to be in cahoots with Kim Tate, but there'll be a wait to find out what happens next and how this affects the village.

It was officially announced last month, Emmerdale will be off screens from ITV1's schedules when it needs to make way for UEFA Women's Euro 2025 games.