Anita Dobson wins big for her surprise EastEnders return while Emmerdale's Amelia Flanagan is overcome with emotion as she accepts Best Young Performer gong at British Soap Awards
Anita Dobson looked jubilant as she won Scene of the Year for her surprise EastEnders return, while Amelia Flanagan held back tears as she accepted her gong at the British Soap Awards on Saturday night.
Stars of the country's favourite soaps descended on London's Hackney Empire for the annual bash which was hosted by Jane McDonald.
And among the biggest moments of the night was Anita, 76, scooping an award for her reprisal of the iconic Angie Watts for EastEnders' special anniversary episode in February.
The actress returned as the Queen Vic's first landlady for the first time in 37 years for a heartbreaking cameo with daughter Sharon - played by Letitia Dean.
Her shock return left viewers stunned and in tears, with fans branding it the 'TV moment of the year', so her win came as no surprise.
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Anita Dobson looked jubilant as she won Scene of the Year for her surprise EastEnders return (left), while Amelia Flanagan held back tears as she accepted her gong (right) at the British Soap Awards on Saturday night
Anita won the prize over stiff competition from Mason's death in Coronation Street, Amy's deathly plunge in Emmerdale and Hollyoaks' Mercedes confronting of her mortality.
Meanwhile, Amelia was overcome with emotion as she was announced as the winner of Best Young Performer for playing April Windsor in Emmerdale.
The 16-year-old - who previously won the prize for Best Young Performance for the role in 2015 - couldn't hid her shock as she took to the stage to accept the trophy.
The actress beat out Corrie's Will Flanagan, EastEnders star Sonny Kendall and Hollyoaks' Noah Holdsworth for the win.
Another standout moment of the ceremony was Sir David Jason taking to the stage to present the coveted Best Soap award.
The Only Fools and Horses star, 85, cut a dapper figure in a classic black suit and bow tie as he announced EastEnders as the winner.
It capped off a good night for the residents of Walford, with the BBC soap coming out the victor of this year's awards with a whopping eight wins.
Following in their wake was Hollyoaks with three gongs, Emmerdale two and Coronation Street only receiving one win on the night.
Meanwhile, Amelia was overcome with emotion as she was announced as the winner of Best Young Performer for playing April Windsor in Emmerdale
The 16-year-old - who previously won the prize for Best Young Performance for the role in 2015 - couldn't hid her shock as she took to the stage to accept the trophy.
As well as their wins for Anita and Best Soap, EastEnders also nabbed the Best Episode award for Phil's Psychosis: The Mitchells In 1985.
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.
The popular progamme also scored Best Villain for Navin Chowdhry for his role as Nish Panesar, while Lacey Turner, who plays Stacey Slater, won the Best Leading Performer Award.
Rudolph Walker & Angela Wynter (Patrick & Yolande Trueman) delivered another win for EastEnders as they won Best On-Screen Partnership.
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 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.
Denise Walsh and Martin Kemp presented the Best Newcomer award together, before Denise was surprised with an award herself by Shirlie Kemp.
The actress was given the special CHEE award, standing for Corrie, Hollyoaks, Eastenders, Emmerdale, for someone who has appeared in all four soaps.
Last year's show was suddenly cancelled with no explanation after the nominees had been announced.
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 on Thursday at 8pm on ITV1 & ITVX.
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