EASTENDERS legend Lacey Turner scooped arguably the most appropriate prize at this year's Inside Soap Awards.
The hit-BBC show were the big winners at this year’s first non-virtual ceremony in two years, with Lacey named 'All-Time Icon'.
Trophies were presented in 16 categories at a star-studded event in London’s 100 Wardour Street after the ceremony was held virtually since 2020 amid the pandemic.
Lacey was crowned an All-Time Icon. Picture: BBC
Fans were invited to vote for any actor, from any show, as their “greatest soap star of all time”.
With more than 90,000 votes cast, EastEnders’ Lacey Turner – who plays Stacey Slater – was presented with a gold trophy event to celebrate her status as ‘All-Time Icon’.
EastEnders also took the ‘Best Soap’ trophy, along with ‘Best Actress’ for Gillian Wright, for her portrayal of Jean Slater.
Jean’s trip to Southend while in the grip of her bipolar disorder won ‘Best Showstopper’ – the award given to a significant episode, while the BBC soap’s Heather Peace (who plays Eve Unwin) was named ‘Best Newcomer’.
Inside Soap editor Gary Gillatt said: “As a six-time winner of our ‘Best Actress’ prize, it’s perhaps no surprise that Lacey takes home our ‘All-Time Icon’ award.
“Ever since her EastEnders debut in 2004, Lacey’s heartfelt performance as Stacey Slater – taking her from troubled teenager to lion-hearted young mum – has touched soap fans everywhere. Long may it continue!”
Lacey stunned on the red carpet. Picture: OMG-News.com
Emmerdale – which celebrated its 50th birthday this week – also had a wave of success on Monday night.
Mark Charnock was awarded ‘Best Actor’ for his portrayal of Marlon Dingle’s fight back from a debilitating stroke, which was also named ‘Best Storyline’. Marlon’s relationship with Rhona Dingle (Zoe Henry) was celebrated as ‘Best Romance’.
Meanwhile, Paige Sandhu is ‘Best Villain’ for the second year, for her performance as Emmerdale serial killer Meena Jutla.
Coronation Street’s popular Maureen Lipman was again awarded ‘Best Comic Performance’ for her role as the acid-tongued Evelyn Plummer, while Isabella Flanagan (Hope Stape) won ‘Best Young Performance’, beating her real-life older sister – three-time winner Amelia Flanagan, Emmerdale’s April Windsor – to the prize.
EastEnders were big winners at the Inside Soap Awards. Picture: BBC
Hollyoaks’ Anna Passey and Kieron Richardson were named ‘Best Double Act’ thanks to the team-up of their long-running characters Sienna Blake and Ste Hay.
Australian soap Neighbours – which screened its final episode in July – was commemorated as ‘Best Daytime Soap’, while star Stefan Dennis (Paul Robinson) was named ‘Best Daytime Star’.
The first issue of Inside Soap was published in October 1992, with EastEnders’ Sharon and Grant Mitchell as cover stars, with the Inside Soap Awards 2022 celebrating 30 years of the magazine.
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