DRAMA, GLAM AND GONGS

Our favourite TV actors turn up the style at this year's star- studded British Soap Awards

- KENZI DEVINE

After a two-year hiatus, The British Soap Awards made a triumphant return last week, and had plenty of glamour, gongs and drama to make up for lost time. Welcoming past and present soap stars to East London venue Hackney Empire, the great and the good arrived at the ceremony hosted by singer and soap superfan Jane McDonald on Saturday 31 May. It marked the first time since 2022 that the event was staged in the capital, as the 2023 awards had taken place in Salford.

EastEnders actress Jacqueline Jossa, who recently returned to Albert Square after a seven-year break, impressed on the red carpet in a strapless black gown, as Rita Simons looked glam in a satin blue number. Also taking to the red carpet, Molly Rainford donned a plunging bright orange dress for her first attendance at the bash since joining the soap in 2023.

It was an extremely successful night for Walford, with EastEnders snapping up a whopping eight gongs - including the coveted Best British Soap prize. Other ► awards included Scene of the Year for Angie Watts’ Shock Return, while Navin Chowdhry won Best Villain for his performance as Nish Panesar. Patsy Palmer had a busy day as she had headed straight to the awards after attending DJ Fat Tony’s star-studded wedding. The Celebrity Big Brother housemate took home the prize for Best Comedic Performance, having briefly reprised her popular role of Bianca Jackson in EastEnders earlier this year.