EASTENDERS dominated its rivals at tonight’s Radio Times Soap Awards. The inaugural

event celebrating the best of soapland was attended by some of the industry’s big names including

Jorgie Porter, Adam Woodyatt, Michelle Collins and Jennifer Metcalfe. 7 7 7 Host Brian Conley

brought plenty of laughs to the four-star Midland Hotel in Manchester and it was a glitzy affair on the red carpet. The BBC contingent had the most to celebrate on the night with Enders picking up half the awards. They included the coveted Best Soap, Best Villain, Best Episode, Most Inspiring Storyline, Soap Moment of the Year, Best Actor and Best Exit. Helen Daly, Associate Editor, Radio Times, said: “All soaps have excelled over the past 12 months and it’s an honour to be able to award them for their efforts.”

READ MORE ON EASTENDERS Morgan Jeffery, Digital Editor, Radio Times, said: “Congratulations to all the soaps on their award wins – and especially to EastEnders for an amazing night. “I’m thrilled for all our nominees and of course our winners – these accolades reflect what has been a terrific year for British soap, delivering all the twists, turns and unbeatable drama that have kept UK audiences hooked for over six decades.” There was ample room in the awards calendar this year after ITV decided against holding its annual British Soap Awards. A spokesman previously said: “The British Soap Awards won’t be on air in 2024 but is set to return in 2025.

“The show was fantastically received in 2023, achieving consolidated figures of 2.9 million and doubling its audience year on year, so we look forward to the show’s return.” It was Coronation Street’s turn to hog bragging rights at last year’s event. Former EastEnders star transforms for racy role in Netflix’s raunchy new series It emerged as the big winner taking home six gongs, however, fans could sense a changing of the guard and some cheekily took to social media platform X to claim the fallow year it was due to Enders being “back on top” after well received storylines. Lorraine Newman, one of the writers on EastEnders, waded into the drama by liking a string of fans’ tweets, including one that said: “They know EastEnders will win again.”