'Mum was so strong... but she died in my arms just weeks ago': Strictly's Lisa Riley's secret pain and why she finds it so hard to meet the perfect man

PUBLISHED: 03:07 EST, 7 October 2012 | UPDATED: 08:57 EST, 7 October 2012

She may have wowed on her debut on Strictly with her vibrant cha-cha, but inside actress Lisa Riley was hiding a secret pain.

Her mother Cath, 57, died in her arms just weeks before Lisa started in Strictly, after losing her long battle with cancer.

But the former Emmerdale actress says she owes her beloved mother a lot - and credits her fiery personality as one of her mother's lasting legacy.

Loss: Lisa's mother Cath died in her arms just weeks before she started Strictly

And Lisa, 36, tells of her mother's courageous battle with the cancer that eventually claimed her life.

More...

'You can dance!' Craig Revel Horwood gives Lisa Riley a glowing review as she picks up her partner and the highest score of the weekend on Strictly Come Dancing

Speaking to the Sunday Mirror, she said her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer 12 years ago, and given just three or four years to live.

But the disease ripped though her mother's body.

'She was so strong and she responded well to her second bout of chemo. She used to say to me "I look into my babies eyes and I am not going anywhere"'

But as Cath deteriorated, Lisa recalls her mother died in her arms after the whole family gathered together.

Fat people can dance: Lisa wowed on last night's Strictly with her cha-cha

Not lacking in energy: The actress gave the Cha Cha her all as the pair danced to Think by Aretha Franklin

And Lisa recalls she tenderly wrote her mother's eulogy, and although it was meant to last five minutes, it ended up being 22.

Despite her mother dying before she got to watch Lisa perform on Strictly, the actress' said her mother was pleased she landed the BBC 1 show.

Lisa said: 'Before her death she knew I had got Strictly and she was elated.'

And although the star is one of the larger contestants, she warns her critics not to write her off too soon.

She surprised everyone! Lisa Riley wowed fans of Strictly by picking up 30 points the highest score of the weekend

She said: 'Viewers don't expect fat people to be able to dance. But I have got rythum, I am a funky, little chunky girl.'

The star, who said she will do anything to avoid becoming the Anne Widdecome of the competition, loves her partner Robin Windsor, 33, and said the pairing was perfect as they compliment each other.

But as for the star's love life, the actress, who is single, said she finds it hard to meet men who love her simply for her.

Perfect pair: Lisa said her dance partner Robin is just perfect for her personality

And the flirty star said she has been been burnt before by cruel men who approach her for dares or those who simply want some of her success to rub off on them.

But for the time being the gorgeous dancer is concentrating on the competition and said she would love to win.

Strictly Come Dancing: Lisa Riley reveals moment brave mum died in her arms

Add your comments

Comments (84)

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

View all

she was amazing saturday night! she was the only one looked as if they were actually having any fun and wanted to be there!

- ahurton , Kent, 08/10/2012 11:05

Click to rate Rating 72

good luck,wish you well.

- FROM ANCHORSHOLME , ANCHORSHOLME, 08/10/2012 10:51

Click to rate Rating 56

Her mum was beautiful, I can see where Lisa gets her radiance from. She has obviously worked hard so far in SCD and is wanting to do well for her mum. Well done Lisa and keep going! I lost my Dad very suddenly a few weeks ago and I know how painful it is when you think about the loss. I know how she's feeling.

- Kitty , UK, 08/10/2012 09:59

Click to rate Rating 49

A lovely and genuine lady, full of fun and a great dancer. Look at the way she smiles with her eyes - that tells you everything.

- SJ , Cardiff, 08/10/2012 07:52

Click to rate Rating 48

She would like a pertner to love her for her ! What else could they possibly love her for ? ? ?

- ramblin rose , fertiliser, 08/10/2012 04:51

Click to rate Rating 46

Not a single person picked up on this line from the article...But as for the star's love life, the actress, who is single, said she finds it hard to meet men who love her simply for her. This says volumes of its me-me-me the diva, I love me...who do you love? Its this assessment of how she perceives men that will ensure she will never find ...'the right one', simply 'cuz she knows the game is over and she becomes just another dull housewife, once she selects somebody into obese women. Its easier to play the blame game and milk it for what its worth, like all the Towie, Sussex + Essex girl wanna-be's.

- pietschka liika , scania, Denmark, 08/10/2012 02:02

Click to rate Rating 54

I'd love to see her win this. The fact that she has already beaten some of the slimmer but strictly less unassuming *cough* Denise Van Outen *cough* celebrities is priceless. Some of these self-satisfied. too aware of their celebrity people need to be taken down a peg or two and genuinely bubbly Lisa, instead of mugging for the cameras (what was that infantile gurning about ?) Van Outen, is just the person to do it. Her dance was fabulous on Sunday!

- Lilolme , Manchester, 08/10/2012 01:10

Click to rate Rating 32

So sorry for your loss Lisa. I too lost my mum with cancer last year, I have never stopped thinking about her, although not close to her, she was the foundation that kept family together. RIP my mum and anyone else her lost a loved one

- Paul Thomas , York, United Kingdom, 08/10/2012 00:36

Click to rate Rating 29

I was really shocked when she started to dance, she can really move!

- Kate , York, United Kingdom, 07/10/2012 23:41

Click to rate Rating 40

Beautiful lady and boy can she dance!! Good luck Lisa, your mum would be so proud of you xx

- sunshine , scotland, 07/10/2012 23:39

Click to rate Rating 61

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.