‘Emmerdale’ has been crowned the Best Soap at this year’s Inside Soap Awards.
The long-running ITV show has walked away with the prestigious gong for the third year running at the glamorous ceremony, held at London’s historic Hippodrome Casino, on Monday (06.11.17) after fighting off stiff competition from rivals ‘Coronation Street’, ‘EastEnders’ and ‘Hollyoaks’ due to their impressive storylines.
And that’s not the only trophy the soap bagged as Danny Miller – who plays Aaron Dingle in the programme – secured Best Actor, while Gillian Kearney – who left the show a few weeks ago – won Best Bad Girl for her portrayal of evil Emma Barton.
The shocking motorway crash last autumn, which saw the vindictive nurse push her husband James Barton (Bill Ward), over a bridge onto on-coming traffic below, was heavily praised by viewers, so it’s hardly surprising that it’s won Best Show Stopper.
The incident also showed the extent of Ashley Thomas’ battle with dementia, which ultimately led to his heartbreaking death earlier this year, and John Middleton’s tear-jerking performance of the vicar’s final scenes has secure him the Best Exit prize.
Alfie Clarke – who plays Ashley’s son Arthur Thomas – has walked away with Best Young Actor, while Natalie J. Robb has been crowned Sexiest Female.
But their awards didn’t stop there as Dominic Brunt bagged the final gong for the soap as he picked up this year’s Funniest Male for his portrayal of Paddy Kirk.
‘Coronation Street’ followed swiftly behind with five awards after Lucy Fallon scooped Best Actress for her performance of Bethany Platt, Connor McIntyre – who plays builder Pat Phelan – secured Best Bad Boy, Dolly-Rose Campbell picked up Funniest Female for playing Gemma Winter and Julia Goulding was awarded Best Newcomer after her alter-ego Shona Ramsey bounded onto the cobbles this year.
The soap was also praised for having the Best Shock Twist after it was revealed that Andy Carver (Oliver Farnworth) was alive and had been held hostage by evil Phelan.
‘EastEnders’ didn’t walk away empty handed either as Davood Ghadami – who is currently taking part in ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ – picked up Sexiest Male, while his co-star Gillian Taylforth was awarded the Outstanding Achievement gong.
‘Casualty’ levelled with the BBC One soap after they George Rainsford – who plays handsome doctor Ethan Hardy – scooped Best Drama Star and their dramatic helicopter crash, which saw the hospital destroyed, won Best Drama Storyline.
Hollyoak’s Lysette Anthony and Nicole Barber-Lane – who play Marnie Nightingale and Myra McQueen in the Channel 4 – were praised for Best Partnership, while Australia’s ‘Neighbours’ beat ‘Doctors’ to the Best Daytime Soap prize.
The full list of winners are as follows;
Best Actor
Danny Miller
Best Actress
Lucy Fallon
Best Bad Boy
Connor McIntyre
Best Bad Girl
Gillian Kearney
Funniest Male
Dominic Brunt
Funniest Female
Dolly-Rose Campbell
Best Newcomer
Julia Goulding
Best Young Actor
Alfie Clarke
Sexiest Male
Davood Ghadami
Sexiest Female
Natalie J Robb
Best Partnership
Marnie Nightingale & Myra McQueen
Best Show-Stopper
Motorway crash/James’ death in ‘Emmerdale’
Best Shock Twist
Andy’s alive in ‘Coronation Street’
Best Exit
John Middleton
Best Drama Star
George Rainsford
Best Drama Storyline
Helicopter crash in ‘Casualty’
Best Daytime Soap
‘Neighbours’
Best Daytime Star
Lorna Laidlaw )
Outstanding Achievement
Gillian Taylforth
Best Soap
‘Emmerdale’