EastEnders SCORES BIG with Anita Dobson’s return. Amelia Flanagan (16) offers a SMALL COMFORT for Emmerdale.
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.
From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail’s new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop.
+23
View gallery
+23
View gallery
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
+23
View gallery
Stars of the country’s favourite soaps descended on London’s Hackney Empire for the annual bash which was hosted by Jane McDonald
+23
View gallery
And among the biggest moments of the night was Anita, 76, scooping an award for her reprisal of the iconic Angie Watts for EastEnders’ s pecial anniversary episode in February
Anita won the prize over stiff competition from Mason’s d3ath in Coronation Street, Amy’s d3athly 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.
+23
View gallery
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 (pictured)
+23
View gallery
Meanwhile, Amelia was overcome with emotion as she was announced as the winner of Best Young Performer for playing April Windsor in Emmerdale
+23
View gallery
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.
+23
View gallery
Another standout moment of the ceremony was Sir David Jason taking to the stage to present the coveted Best Soap award
+23
View gallery
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
+23
View gallery
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 (cast pictured with David)
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 s3xual 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.
+23
View gallery
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 (seen)
+23
View gallery
Steve McFadden, who plays fan favourite Phil Mitchell, won the Best Dramatic Performance award, which was accepted by castmate Adam Woodyatt on his behalf (seen)
+23
View gallery
While Patsy Palmer won Best Comedic Performance for her role as Bianca Jackson on the soap over Jack P Shepherd, Nicola Wheeler and Nicole Barber-Lane (seen)
+23
View gallery
The popular progamme also scored Best Villain for Navin Chowdhry for his role as Nish Panesar (pictured)
+23
View gallery
Nish was presented the award by actor Emmett J Scanlan (pictured)
+23
View gallery
While Lacey Turner, who plays Stacey Slater, won the Best Leading Performer Award, which was accepted on her behalf by Lillia Turner, who plays her onscreen daughter (seen)
+23
View gallery
Rudolph Walker & Angela Wynter (Patrick & Yolande Trueman) delivered another win for EastEnders as they won Best On-Screen Partnership (pictured)
+23
View gallery
Hollyoaks’ three awards started with Isabelle Smith who won Best Newcomer for her role as Frankie Osborne (seen)
+23
View gallery
Denise Walsh and Martin Kemp presented an award together, before Denise was surprised with an award herself by Shirlie Kemp, the CHEE award for someone who has appeared in all four soaps
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.
+23
View gallery
Coronation Street’s sole gong of the night was the Outstanding Achievement Award which went to David Neilson
+23
View gallery
The star has played Roy Cropper for 30 years and was presented the gong by Julie Hesmondhalgh (seen)
+23
View gallery
Emmerdale’s camera operator Mike Plant took home the Tony Warren Award which is given to employees working behind the scenes
+23
View gallery
The Osbornes then won the Best Family award while Hollyoaks’ sibling s3xual abuse storyline received the Best Storyline award (seen)
‘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.’
