Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley was rushed to Leeds General Infirmary for emergency surgery after sustaining a "very bad fall" at her home over the weekend.
The 49-year-old, who portrays Mandy Dingle in the ITV soap, injured herself when she tumbled from a breakfast stool, causing significant damage to her left thumb.
The accident resulted in a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), a crucial structure that provides stability and support during gripping and pinching movements.
Ms Riley shared the news with followers on Instagram on Wednesday, posting images of herself wearing a hospital gown alongside her surgeon, as well as a photograph displaying her arm secured in a sling following the procedure.
The star joked that alcohol was not involved in the incident.
In her Instagram post, Ms Riley explained the circumstances of the domestic accident, attributing the fall to a combination of her "extremely slippy breakfast stool" and a woollen cardigan she was wearing at the time.
"My left thumb took all of it, hence the massive damage," she wrote, describing how the impact was concentrated on that single digit.
The actress was keen to pre-empt any speculation about the cause, stating: "No I'm sober, no drunk jokes."
The star updated her fans via her Instagram main feed and stories
|Ms Riley, who celebrated a decade of sobriety last year, has previously spoken about overcoming alcohol addiction, having once consumed three bottles of wine daily at the height of her struggles.
The surgery was performed on Wednesday afternoon to repair the damaged ligament in her thumb.
Ms Riley was effusive in her praise for the healthcare she received, declaring: "OUR NHS IS INCREDIBLE."
She expressed particular gratitude to specialist surgeon Mr Daniel Thornton and the wider medical team at Leeds General Infirmary who attended to her that afternoon.
The star recently did a stint in I'm A Celebrity
|ITV/INSTAGRAM
"I have to massively thank my specialist surgeon Mr Daniel Thornton at LGI Leeds hospital and all the beautiful team, every single one of you who treated me this afternoon," she wrote.
The soap star signed off her update by noting she had been prescribed effective medication for her recovery.
"NHS at its absolute best - bye for now I have some fantastic pain relief to take," Riley added.
A UCL injury of this nature typically requires four to six weeks in a splint for partial tears, though complete tears necessitate surgical intervention.
Ms Riley often keeps her fans updated with her daily life
|The actress's social media update prompted an outpouring of support from fellow television personalities and fans alike.
Gogglebox favourite Scarlett Moffatt responded with warmth, writing: "Sending love chick!"
Coronation Street star Cait Fitton also reached out, commenting: "Sending love beautiful one."
Riley's Emmerdale colleague Amelia Flanagan, who plays April Windsor in the Yorkshire-based drama, added her own message of support with a simple "Sending love!" accompanied by a red heart emoji.
The star had a bad fall at the weekend where her thumb took all of the impact
|ITV
Presenter Steph McGovern joined the well-wishers, posting: "Oh no!! Sending love." (sic)
Fans of the soap veteran flooded the comments section with messages hoping for a swift recovery, with one writing that they hoped her healing would take "a few weeks tops" and urging her to take care of herself.
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