Emmerdale and EastEnders on top as soap awards return
EMMERDALE and EastEnders dominated at the first British Soap Awards since 2019.
The ITV and BBC soap operas secured four awards each but Emmerdale, which is filmed on the Harewood House estate, near Leeds, won all three awards voted for by the public and took home the sought-after best soap gong in its 50th anniversary year.
The cast erupted in cheers as the ITV show’s title was called out as the winner of best soap, before taking to the stage.
Karen Blick, who plays Lydia Hart, spoke on behalf of the throng of stars.
She said: “It means the world as it is a public vote. Well done to the whole team who did not go off-air for the whole of the pandemic.
“It is an absolute honour in our 50th year, there is going to be more drama in the Dales. This is for everyone back in Yorkshire.”
The programme also landed the best leading performer award for Paige Sandhu’s serial killing character Meena Jutla, while fan favourite Mark Charnock took home the best dramatic performance award for his stroke storyline.
During his winner’s speech, the 53-year-old actor said “not enough is being done” to fundraise for stroke research and “more needs to be done”.
Charnock returned to the stage with his Emmerdale costars to collect the best family award which went to the Dingles. They dedicated the gong to late actor Andy Devine, who played Shadrach Dingle in the show for almost a decade.
Meanwhile EastEnders’ Ross Boatman, who plays Harvey Monroe, took home best newcomer, best comedy went to Tameka Empson who plays Kim Fox, and “soap icon” Letitia Dean took home the outstanding achievement award.
This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield returned to host the much-anticipated awards ceremony at the Hackney Empire in east London following a threeyear hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.