EastEnders beats Coronation Street and Emmerdale as Inside Soap Awards 2024 winners are revealed
Coronation Street emerged with the most accolades at this year's ceremony
CORONATION Street triumphed over its soap rivals as the Inside Soap Awards 2024 winners are unveiled.
Having begun in 1996, the annual ceremony honours both UK and Australian soap operas, as well as their stars.
Coronation Street proved to be the big winner this year, as the ITV soap scooped six trophies – more than the other shows.
Peter Ash was awarded the Best Actor prize, following his portrayal of Paul Foreman’s MND storyline.
Viewers were left feeling emotional following the character’s death in scenes aired earlier this month.
Inside Soap editor Gary Brocart-Gillatt said: “The story of happy-go-lucky Paul Foreman’s MND diagnosis – and the effect it had on both Paul and those who loved him – has been the stand-out TV of 2024 for our voters.
“It’s no surprise that Peter Ash’s tender portrayal of Paul has won him our Best Actor prize; and that’s no small achievement in what has been a truly golden year for soap.”
Meanwhile, Peter and co-star Daniel Brocklebank, who plays Paul’s husband Billy, won Best Partnership.
Charlie Wrenshall was named Best Young Performer for his performance as Liam Connor.
Meanwhile, for the fourth year in a row, Dame Maureen Lipman was awarded Best Comedy Performance for her turn as Evelyn Plummer.
For Emmerdale, Eden Taylor-Draper won the award for Best Actress amid her harrowing storyline as coercive control victim Belle Dingle.
The soap’s wider Dingle clan – soon to mark their 30 year anniversary – were recognised as Best Family.
In an Inside Soap first, dog actress Minnie claimed the inaugural Best Pet prize for playing Belle Dingle’s canine friend Piper.
EastEnders claimed Best Showstopper for their Christmas Day episode in which Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) murdered Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters).
This, in turn, kicked off ‘The Six’ storyline which focuses on the aftermath of Linda’s actions.
Navin Chowdhry was awarded Best Villain for his portrayal of Walford baddie Nish Panesar.
Over on Hollyoaks, young star Isabelle Smith won the award for Best Newcomer for her role as Frankie Osborne in the soap’s hard-hitting sibling sexual abuse storyline.
The newly-revived Neighbours claimed the prize for Best Daytime Soap, with its longtime star Ryan Moloney winning Best Daytime Star for playing Toadie Rebecchi.
Waterloo Road actor Adam Thomas, who portrays Donte Charles, took home the trophy for Best Drama Star.
For her performance as EastEnders’ Suki Panesar, actress Balvinder Sopal was named Soap Superstar.
While the prestigious Outstanding Achievement prize went to to a group rather than an individual for the very first time.
The cast and crew of Doctors were recognised, as the axed soap concludes its run.
Inside Soap editor Gary Brocart-Gillatt remarked: “The BBC’s cancellation of Doctors – a wonderful launch pad for new writing and acting talent – was incredibly disappointing to see.
“We also know how much Doctors viewers love the show, so it’s on their behalf that we’ve awarded our Outstanding Achievement trophy to the team.”
