EastEnders’ winning streak continues unabated as the popular BBC soap has landed more humongous victories, this time at the Inside Soap Awards 2023.
The much discussed renaissance of the show, which just a couple of years ago was left pretty much in the dark when it came to awards ceremonies, is clearly showing no signs of waning, and one storyline in particular has dominated.
Initially questioned by many when first announced, Lola Pearce’s tragic exit storyline has pulled in critical and viewer acclaim alike, for emotionally touching and dramatic portrayals in both acting and writing.
Earlier this year, Lola passed away in heartbreaking scenes after a battle with cancer, the aftermath of which continues to play out on screen.
Danielle Harold may have left the show, but the legacy she and Lola have left has helped EastEnders soar at the most recent awards, netting a staggering four prizes, alongside the coveted Best Soap trophy.
The saga was named by the voting public as the top soap storyline of the year, with Danielle taking home Best Actress, co-star Jamie Borthwick (Jay Brown) winning Best Actor and Lexi star Isabelle Brown declared as the Best Young Performer.
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The enduringly popular Max Bowden, who, as Ben Mitchell, has also played a heavy and heart-wrenching role in the plotline (as well as being one half of fan favourite power couple Ballum), and has been named as the year’s Soap Superstar.
No mean feat! Both the show and the storyline has clearly had a huge impact on the audience, and recently won all three soap-related prizes at the recent National Television Awards – Best Serial Drama, Best Serial Drama Performance for Danielle Harold, and Best Breakthrough Star for Bobby Brazier.
Coupled with other major storylines over the year, including the developing murder storyline involving ‘The Six’, the tragedy of Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) and Zack Hudson’s (James Farrar) baby loss, and the return from the dead of Cindy Beale, EastEnders hasn’t been talked about so feverishly and with such positivity in years.
But the other soaps haven’t come away empty handed.
Coronation Street also secured an impressive four awards, with divisive serial killer Stephen Reid – played by recently departed Todd Boyce – finding vindication as the year’s Best Villain.
Dee-Dee Bailey icon Channique Sterling-Brown has added another deserved Best Newcomer gong to her cabinet, while Maureen Lipman is once again the unbeatable comedy icon.
And elsewhere, the most showstopping moment was the acid attack carried out against Daisy Midgeley (Charlotte Jordan) and Ryan Connor (Ryan Prescott) was the most Show-Stopping Moment, and one which lives on in our memories in all its raw horror.
The often overlooked duo of Marlon Dingle and Paddy Kirk has been rewarded with the Best Partnership prize – after a year of trauma faced by the two characters seeing the bond and chemistry between stalwarts Mark Charnock and Dominic Brunt shine through.
And, against hot competition from the likes of the Barlows, Platts, Mitchells, Slaters and McQueens, the vast Dingle clan is the Best Family.
Casualty’s Nigel Harman (Max Cristie) and Doctors’ Chris Walker (Rob Hollins) have come away with Best Drama Star and Best Daytime Star respectively.
Finally, soap royalty Nikki Sanderson, who has played a blinder throughout both the acclaimed Long Walk Home story in Hollyoaks – as well as a pivotal role in the show’s incel story – has been handed the Outstanding Achievement prize.
The Inside Soap Awards 2023 – Results in full
BEST SOAP
EastEnders
BEST ACTRESS
Danielle Harold (Lola Pearce-Brown, EastEnders)
BEST ACTOR
Jamie Borthwick (Jay Brown, EastEnders)
BEST YOUNG PERFORMER
Isabella Brown (Lexi Pearce, EastEnders)
BEST NEWCOMER
Channique Sterling-Brown (Dee-Dee Bailey, Coronation Street)
BEST VILLAIN
Todd Boyce (Stephen Reid, Coronation Street)
BEST COMIC PERFORMANCE
Maureen Lipman (Evelyn Plummer, Coronation Street)
BEST PARTNERSHIP
Dominic Brunt & Mark Charnock (Paddy & Marlon Dingle, Emmerdale)
BEST FAMILY
The Dingles (Emmerdale)
BEST STORYLINE
Loving and losing Lola (EastEnders)
BEST SHOWSTOPPER
Acid attack (Coronation Street)
BEST DRAMA STAR
Nigel Harman (Max Cristie, Casualty)
BEST DAYTIME STAR
Chris Walker (Rob Hollins, Doctors)
SOAP SUPERSTAR OF THE YEAR
Max Bowden (Ben Mitchell, EastEnders)
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
Nikki Sanderson (Maxine Minniver, Hollyoaks)
The Inside Soap Awards, as is tradition, appears to have fired the starting pistol on a huge soap autumn.
Champion soap EastEnders shows no signs of slowing down, with a dramatic fire story on the horizon, not to mention the amping up of THAT murder mystery.
With showstopping exits on the way for Brian Conley (Rocky) and Lorraine Stanley (Karen Taylor), there are gripping twists to come.
Hollyoaks has just launched itself into its new, digital focused era with an hour long episode heralding the start of a Who Killed Rayne saga.
And ITV’s so-called Super Soap Week is on the horizon, promising big climaxes to two massive storylines, including big stunts, huge reveals and exits.
A great time to be a fan all round!
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