A NIGHT WITH THE STARS OF SOAPLAND

The biggest names in TV dress to impress as they take to the red carpet in Manchester for the RadioTimes.com Soap Awards

- KIESHA DOSANJH

The nation’s favourite soap stars swapped their character’s costumes for sophisticated suits and glorious gowns for the first ever RadioTimes.​com Soap Awards at Manchester’s Midland Hotel.

After news broke late last year that the British Soap Awards would not be returning to ITV until 2025, this was a welcome opportunity for the cast members of EastEnders, Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks to catch up and celebrate their achievements from the last year.

Host Brian Conley was reunited with his former EastEnders co-stars, including soap couple Michelle Collins and Adam Woodyatt. Michelle, who reprised her role as Cindy Beale last year, graced the red carpet in a stunning sparkly dress, while Adam looked dapper in a burgundy jacket.

Speaking to OK! about her return to Albert Square, Michelle said at first she was “terrified”. But she added, “I’ve been there a year now and I’m enjoying it a lot.”

The event also gave her the chance to catch up with her former Coronation Street co-stars – she played Rovers Return landlady Stella Price from 2011 to 2014. “It feels a bit weird coming up here and batting for the other side,” she laughed.

Clearly enjoying the glorious weather, she added, “The sun was never out when I was in Manchester. Maybe that’s a good omen!”

That certainly seemed to be the case for the residents of Walford, as EastEnders took home an impressive seven gongs, including Best Soap, as voted for by fans. The show also snapped up Moment of the Year for its Christmas storyline Sixmas, while Danny Walters, who plays Keanu Taylor, victim of the Sixmas murder, took home the award for Best Exit.

Albert Square’s Angela Wynter won Best Actor for her portrayal of Yolande Trueman, and the soap also won Best Episode for “George confronts Eddie” and Inspiring Storyline for “Suki comes out to her family”.