It was a good night for the residents of Walford as EastEnders emerged as the victor of this year’s British Soap Awards with eight gongs.
Stars of the country’s favourite soaps descended on Hackney Empire in London on Saturday for the annual bash which was hosted by Jane McDonald.
But it was the BBC’s EastEnders that cleaned up on the night with eight awards while Hollyoaks received three, Emmerdale two and Coronation Street only one.
They kicked off their wins with Best Episode which went to Phil’s Psychosis: The Mitchells In 1985.
EastEnders also won Scene of the Year for Angie Watts’ Shock Return while Navin Chowdhry won Best Villain for his role of Nish Panesar.
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It was a good night for the residents of Walford as EastEnders emerged as the victor of this year’s British Soap Awards with eight gongs (Patsy Palmer won Best Comedy Performance)
Navin Chowdhry (right) won Best Villain for his role of Nish Panesar (pictured with Balvinder Sopal)
Hollyoaks’ three awards started with Isabelle Smith who won Best Newcomer for her role as Frankie Osborne
Steve McFadden, who plays fan favourite Phil Mitchell, won the Best Dramatic Performance award while Patsy Palmer won Best Comedic Performance for her role as Bianca Jackson.
Rudolph Walker & Angela Wynter (Patrick & Yolande Trueman) delivered another win for EastEnders as they won Best On-Screen Partnership.
Lacey Turner, who plays Stacey Slater, won the Best Leading Performer Award and EastEnders also won the most coveted award of all: Best British Soap.
Hollyoaks’ three awards started with Isabelle Smith who won Best Newcomer for her role as Frankie Osborne.
The Osbornes then won the Best Family award while Hollyoaks’ sibling sexual abuse storyline received the Best Storyline award.
Emmerdale’s Amelia Flanagan won Best Young Performer for playing April Windsor while camera operator Mike Plant took home the Tony Warren Award which is given to employees working behind the scenes.
Coronation Street’s sole gong of the night was the Outstanding Achievement Award which went to David Neilson who has played Roy Cropper for 30 years.
Last year’s show was suddenly cancelled with no explanation after the nominees had been announced.
EastEnders also won Scene of the Year for Angie Watts’ Shock Return (pictured in the 40th anniversary)
Lacey Turner, who plays Stacey Slater, won the Best Leading Performer Award
Emmerdale’s Amelia Flanagan won Best Young Performer for playing April Windsor
Coronation Street’s David Neilson won the Outstanding Achievement Award for his role as Roy Cropper
The June 2023 edition reached 5.7 million viewers in total with just under one million streams on ITVX and a peak of 3.2m viewers via its linear overnight broadcast.
Singer and self-confessed soaps lover Jane, 61, stepped in as a last-minute replacement for Phillip Schofield two years ago after he quit ITV after admitting to an affair with a young male This Morning colleague.
Host Jane said: ‘I’m beyond excited to be hosting The British Soap Awards again as I had such a ball hosting the awards last time.
‘You all know I love my soaps, so to be in a room giving recognition to all these wonderful actors and their fantastic hard work is simply joyous. I can’t wait to get my glittery frock on and celebrate with everyone.’
Meanwhile, Gemma John-Lewis, Entertainment Commissioner ITV said: ‘The British Soaps Awards are an opportunity to celebrate and shine a light on the incredible actors and production teams that deliver gripping drama and captivating stories throughout the year.
‘We’re delighted Jane McDonald, a self proclaimed number one soap fan, is returning to host the awards.’
The British Soap Awards airs this Thursday at 8pm on ITV1 & ITVX.