PARTY HARD Bleary-eyed EastEnders, Coronation Street and Hollyoaks stars stumble out of boozy soap awards afterparty
One ITV soap came out on top with six gongs - and the stars partied hard
THE nation’s top telly stars were all partied out after letting their hair down at a boozy Inside Soap Awards after-party.
A host of famous faces from EastEnders, Hollyoaks, Emmerdale and Coronation Street bundled out of the swanky venue in the capital into their waiting cars – with some looking more lively than others.
Hollyoaks’ Jennifer Metcalfe, 41, led the way on the Red Carpet arrivals at London’s Salsa Temple and cut an equally glam figure as she left in her lace bralet and semi-sheer skirt.
Yet thankfully the Mercedes McQueen actress’ pal was on-hand to help as she tripped on the way to her car.
Emmerdale’s Lisa Riley, 48, looked in high spirits as she flashed a huge smile in her car home.
She was joined by co-star and best pal Dominic Brunt, 54, who plays on-screen lover Paddy Kirk, and a handful of their other co-stars who looked just as cheery.
Emmerdale’s Daisy Campbell, 21, in contrast, looked ready for bed as she clambered into a vehicle – yet made sure to clutch her baby pink Inside Soap Awards goodie bag.
Meanwhile after Coronation Street proved to be the big winner this year – with the ITV soap scooping six trophies – Paul Foreman actor Peter Ash, 39, looked to be relishing in the celebrations.
He looked sleepy as he bundled into a car with his Best Actor award, following his stellar portrayal of Paul’s MND storyline.
Meanwhile, his co-star Daniel Brocklebank, 44, who played Paul’s husband Billy and with whom he won Best Partnership, was seen enjoying a final pint before heading home.
Their Weatherfield companion Maureen Lipman, 78 – who won Best Comic Performance – was all smiles despite getting into a tangle with her scarf as she sat in her vehicle.
EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, 45, made sure to change into a pair of comfy flats as she padded into her vehicle with her Soap Superstar award for playing Suki Panesar.
er co-star Dianne Parish, 54, who plays Denise Fox, appeared bleary-eyed as she made her way home.
Kirsty-leigh Porter, 35 – who has been on Corrie, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks – enjoyed a cigarette outside while EastEnders’ Gillian Taylforth, 69, was quick to offer a host of goodbye kisses.
CORRIE BLIMEY
Corrie scooped six awards in their night of triumph.
These included Charlie Wrenshall, who was named Best Young Performer for his performance as Liam Connor.
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.
