Emmerdale scooped top prize at last night’s Inside Soap Awards, winning Best Soap for the second year running. The annual event took place at London’s Hippodrome Casino where some of our favourite stars dared to bare the flesh, despite the chilly Autumn weather.
Olympia Valance turned heads in a racy number that exposed her legs, back AND ample cleavage. But the 23-year-old Neighbours star faced stiff competition from Kym Marsh, Faye Brookes and Nikki Sanderson - who all sported Kim Kardashian’s signature, plunging look.
Eastenders may have lagged on the fashion front but the long-time favourite nabbed all the top acting awards, including Best Actor for Steve McFadden (Phil Mitchell) and Best Actress for Lacey Turner (Stacey Fowler).
Speaking of her award for Best Exit, Barbara Windsor said: "Peggy’s exit was wonderful – I really couldn’t have asked for more. The writers spoilt me – really, they did."
The lovely Amelia Flanagan, who plays Emmerdale’s April Windsor, scored her THIRD trophy for Best Young Actor, while the hotly-tipped Shane Ward made it a clean sweep as he picked up the Best Newcomer Prize after winning at this year’s National Television Awards and TV Choice Awards.
Shayne declared: "I’ve been blessed to have such great storylines in the first year that I’ve been here. This just rounds it off. It’s been a great year and this is the cherry on top!"
Our favourite (ssh!) Strictly contender, Tameka Empson, took home the Funniest Female Award for what must be a record-setting fifth time!
Two new categories were introduced this year, including Best Drama Storyline which went to Holby City for the heart-breaking departure of Arthur Digby.
Emmerdale also snared the Best Partnership award for characters Robert Sugden and Aaron Dingle. Speaking about the win, Ryan Hawley (Robert Sugden) enthused: “It’s great to have won, especially as it’s voted for by the readers of Inside Soap Magazine, who are true soap fans. It’s a huge honour."
Danny Miller (Aaron Dingle) added: "It’s amazing to have won. It’s overwhelming to have been voted amongst soap icons, especially with the strong stories on all the soaps this year. I think it’s more a credit to Ryan, if I’m honest, because he’s come in with such a strong character."
Here's the winner’s list in full:
Best Soap
Emmerdale
Best Daytime Soap
Neighbours
Best Actor
Steve McFadden (Phil Mitchell, EastEnders )
Best Actress
Lacey Turner (Stacey Fowler, EastEnders )
Best Bad Girl
Persephone Swales-Dawson (Nico Bradley, Hollyoaks )
Best Bad Boy
Connor McIntyre (Pat Phelan, Coronation Street )
Funniest Female
Tameka Empson (Kim Fox-Hubbard, EastEnders )
Funniest Male
Joe Duttine (Tim Metcalfe, Coronation Street )
Best Newcomer
Shayne Ward (Aidan Connor, Coronation Street )
Best Young Actor
Amelia Flanagan (April Windsor, Emmerdale )
Sexiest Male
Charlie Clapham (Freddie Roscoe, Hollyoaks )
Sexiest Female
Jacqueline Jossa (Lauren Branning, EastEnders )
Best Partnership
Ryan Hawley & Danny Miller (Robert Sugden & Aaron Dingle, Emmerdale )
Best Show-Stopper
The live episode ( Coronation Street )
Best Shock Twist
Val dies in the hall of mirrors! ( Emmerdale )
Best Exit
Barbara Windsor (Peggy Mitchell, EastEnders )
Best Drama Star
Derek Thompson (Charlie Fairhead, Casualty )
Best Drama Storyline
Arthur’s death ( Holby City )
Best Daytime Star
Alan Fletcher (Karl Kennedy, Neighbours )
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