British Soap Awards 2019: Shayne Ward breaks down in tears as he scoops TWO gongs for Aidan Connor's suicide story on Coronation Street... and jokes he was invited last-minute to the ceremony
Saturday night's British Soap Awards 2019 saw Coronation Street's suicide plot scooping two accolades - Best Single Episode and Best Storyline.
Actor Shayne Ward, who portrayed Aidan Connor on the ITV soap until his character tragically took his own life this time last year, appeared to co-accept the award, with the episode's director.
Beating away the competition - 'And The Beat Goes On…' (Doctors), 'Consent' (EastEnders), 'Chas And Paddy Say Goodbye To Baby Grace' (Emmerdale) and 'Where Do I Belong?' (Hollyoaks) - Shayne, 34, took to the stage, where he fought back tears to say: 'I was not meant to be coming here tonight. So thank you to the Coronation Street team for ringing me and asking me.
Emotional: Saturday night's British Soap Awards 2019 saw Coronation Street 's suicide plot cooping two accolades with actor Shayne Ward, who portrayed Aidan Connor on the ITV soap until his character tragically took his own life this time last year, fighting back tears to accept the prize
'This is amazing, thank you. But it's a collective effort, never a solo effort, told with heart and truth.
'The impact that suicide has is ongoing. Guys don’t talk enough. We need to use this platform to tackle this'
The former-X Factor winner went on: 'Thanks so much for this - it was a great episode to do. And thank you to the sensitive, brilliant cast and crew who worked to make this happen.'
He then thanked the other nominees, adding: 'Your work is amazing.'
He continued: 'I just want to say thank you so much to you guys at home for championing the storyline. [Soaps] are great at what [they] do. Let's continue to use that platform and let's keep breaking down that taboo.'
He also mentioned that he 'misses his Connor family', with many of he ex-co-stars sobbing in the audience at the speech.
The former-X Factor winner went on: 'Thanks so much for this - it was a great episode to do. And thank you to the sensitive, brilliant cast and crew who worked to make this happen'
Looking sharp: Former X-Factor champ Shayne, 34, cut a dapper figure in a sleek black tux. While Shayne wasn't up for a gong individually, the storyline surrounding his Corrie character Aidan was nominated for two awards - and won both
The big award of the evening - Best Soap - was scooped by Hollyoaks, who last year lost out to Coronation Street.
The cast and crew climbed up onto the stage in their droves to celebrate their exciting win, heaping praise on show boss Bryan Kirkwood.
'We want to say a massive thank you to our viewers and all the people that have voted for us, Jessica Fox said, taking to the podium. 'We just want to say congratulations to all the soaps - you've told amazing stories this year.
'You make us raise the bar higher every year. Our viewers push us to tell really hard-hitting stories. They want diversity on their screens and we hope we represent that.'
Despite being cut off by the evening's main presenter, Phillip Schofield, as the live transmission ran out of time, the cast then whipped out their phones and snapped countless selfies.
Big win: The big award of the evening - Best Soap - was scooped by Hollyoaks, who last year lost out to Coronation Street. The cast and crew climbed up onto the stage in their droves to celebrate their exciting win, heaping praise on show boss Bryan Kirkwood [pictured, second from left]
Celebration: Despite being cut off as the live transmission ran out of time, the cast then whipped out their phones and snapped countless selfies
Share the love: They passed around the collective award and were seen kissing it, and posing with it
They passed around the collective award and were seen kissing it, and posing with it.
The gong for Best Female Dramatic Performance was won by Gillian Wright, who plays Jean Slater in EastEnders.
She was sure to praise everyone involved, saying: 'Thank you to everyone, every department, every team. And to the Slater ladies, this is yours as well.'
She added: 'Thank you to my mum and dad for their unfailing support and my dear sister Lois who keeps my feet on the ground pointing in the right direction.'
The winner is: The gong for Best Male Dramatic Performance was taken home by Adam Woodward (Brody Hudson, Hollyoaks) while Gillian Wright, who plays Jean Slater in EastEnders, took home the female equivalent to the prize
At the helm: Phillip Schofield continued his annual job as the host of The British Soap Awards
Like mother, like daughter: On-screen duo Sue Nicholls [L] and Helen Worth [R] both scooped gongs for their turns in Corrie
Gillian beat Katie McGlynn (Sinead Tinker, Coronation Street), Elisabeth Dermot Walsh (Zara Carmichael, Doctors), Lucy Pargeter (Chas Dingle, Emmerdale) and Nadine Mulkerrin (Cleo McQueen, Hollyoaks).
The male equivalent for this award was taken home by Adam Woodward (Brody Hudson, Hollyoaks).
Helen Worth's scene in Corrie - Gail's monologue - beat off The crash (Doctors), Shakil's funeral (EastEnders)
Cain's confession (Emmerdale) and Brody confronts his abuser (Hollyoaks).
Helen said in her acceptance speech: 'It's just a scene but there is such a lot of work. I am the lucky one who got to say it. Thank you for a wonderful award.'
'Gobsmacked!' Sue Nicholls - who has played Audrey Roberts for the past 40 years - took home the Outstanding Achievement award for her role, kickstarting her acceptance by saying - 'It's ridiculous - I was paid to do it'
Bad man: Nathan Sussex won the Villain Of The Year award
Stand-out starlet: Kara-Leah Fernandes captured the hearts of the auditorium for her Best Young Actor acceptance speech for EastEnders
Double act: Kara-Leah later won a second gong for On-Screen Partnership alongside her soap dad Roger Griffiths for their roles as Bailey and Mitch Baker on EastEnders
She thanked the director, writer, editor, and the whole cast of the soap to round off the speech.
Sue Nicholls - who has played Audrey Roberts for the past 40 years - took home the Outstanding Achievement award for her role, kickstarting her acceptance by saying: 'It's ridiculous - I was paid to do it.'
She went on: 'I am gobsmacked. I was worrying because I thought, "I have got to say something, it has to be witty and not trivial". And I am here and I still haven't thought of anything.
'But in April 1979 I got my week on Coronation Street. I had it written in my diary. And fast-forward 40 years and it would say "still in Coronation Street".
Presenter: Victoria Derbyshire dished out one of the gongs
Long time coming: Lucy Pargeter won her first Soap Award as Chas Dingle, having played the role for 17 years
Guest appearance: Liar star Ioan Gruffudd was one of the guest presenters of the evening
'I have never planned anything in my life work-wise - I just took jobs as they came. So I was thrilled I was asked back. I can't thank everyone we will still be here in two hours. I am better in Weatherfield than in the real world.'
Kara-Leah Fernandes captured the hearts of the auditorium for her Best Young Actor acceptance speech for EastEnders. She then later won a second gong for On-Screen Partnership alongside her soap dad Roger Griffiths for their roles as Bailey and Mitch Baker on EastEnders.
Lucy Pargeter won her first Soap Award as Chas Dingle, having played the role for 17 years.
Winning for her portrayal as a mother who has to bury her baby she explained that she didn't expect to win at all.
Fuming: Gregory Finnegan [R] said that winning Best Actor for Hollyoaks made it 'worth missing the football' - referencing the Champions League, which clashed with Saturday's soap event, much to the chagrin of an obviously-miffed Danny Dyer [L], who lost out on the same award
'I am chewing gum, I haven't had a drink!' she said, insisting she wasn't prepared for the gong.
Lucy went on to thank the makers of Emmerdale for making her 'feel safe' while filming the story.
'This award is really for all the amazing families out there that have lost their beautiful babies in one way or another and I really hope we did this storyline justice,' she said. 'Dominic Brunt, thank you for letting me just make me feel safe in our environment and let me go and to do what we're paid to do.'
Gregory Finnegan said that winning Best Actor for Hollyoaks made it 'worth missing the football' - referencing the Champions League, which clashed with Saturday's soap event, much to the chagrin of an obviously-miffed Danny Dyer, who lost out on the same award.
Shayne looking damn fine!!!
by Just_Saying_ 785