Emmerdale sweeps the board at Soap Awards
IT was a massive night for Emmerdale at the British Soap Awards.
The ITV favourite was again named best soap amid widespread praise for its sensitive handling of a dementia storyline. John Middleton, who played Ashley Thomas in the popular drama about country folk, won best actor.
Best actress went to his on- screen wife Charlotte Bellamy, who entertains millions as Laurel Thomas.
Emmerdale also scooped the top honours for best storyline, for the powerful saga of Ashley’s dementia.
A delighted Middleton said: “I’m so proud.
“The audience really stayed with us and not a day went by that someone didn’t stop me to say how much they related to it.”
It was up against Corrie’s grooming of Bethany Platt and a harrowing mental health plot line in EastEnders.
The hotly- contested scene of the year gong went to the Hollyoaks crew for “Jade says goodbye to Alfie”.
Best newcomer was won by Corrie’s Rob Mallard, who plays Dan Osbourne.
And best young performance went to Elle Mulvaney, 14, who plays Amy Barlow in Coronation Street.
Soap stalwart Kym Marsh was the recipient of best female dramatic performance while the equivalent male honour went to Middleton.
The glitzy ceremony was held in Manchester – the focus of the entertainment world this weekend.
It took place at the Lowry Theatre, just three miles from the Manchester Arena where 22 people died in the terror attack less than two weeks ago.
ITV had planned to screen the event live for the first time, but with Ariana Grande returning today for the One Love fundraising concert at Old Trafford, plans were changed during the week.
And Britain’s Got Talent’s finale was moved to last night, so as not to clash with the star-studded concert.
“It was definitely the right decision,” said a British Soap Awards spokesman.
“BGT had to move as there couldn’t be any clash with the concert.”
Emmerdale’s Isabel Hodgins, who was at the Arena tragedy and gave an emotional account of the horror in the aftermath, revealed she’d be among the crowds at the One Love show, being screened live on BBC1.
Next year’s 20th anniversary Soap Awards will now be the first to be shown on the night, with last night’s ceremony being screened on ITV on Tuesday at 8pm.
The best soap gong was presented by telly cop- of- the- moment Adrian Dunbar, Superintendent Ted Hastings in Line Of Duty.
And villain of the year, won by Lucy- Jo Hudson, who plays Rhiannon Davis in Doctors, was handed over by Scots actor Gray O’Brien.
Stars attending the event had a moment of reflection for those who have passed away in the past year, with Roy Barraclough – who played Corrie’s Alec Gilroy and died on Thursday – especially remembered.