The National Television Awards brought together the biggest soap stars this week, with Coronation Street and EastEnders going head-to-head in the Serial Drama category. But while one actor finally had a moment to celebrate, it was another star’s reaction that ended up stealing the spotlight for viewers at home.
A Big Night for the Soaps
The NTAs returned on Wednesday night, live from London’s O2 Arena, with Joel Dommett keeping the show moving. As always, it was packed with glitz and big names, from Stacey Solomon and Davina McCall to Jeremy Clarkson. Plenty of shows were in the mix for trophies, but soap fans had their eyes fixed firmly on the Serial Drama award.
Coronation Street favourites Jack P. Shepherd, who plays David Platt, and Sue Devaney, who plays Debbie Webster, were both nominated. Emmerdale’s Eden Taylor-Draper, better known as Belle Dingle, was also in the running, while EastEnders had Jacqueline Jossa as Lauren Branning and Steve McFadden as Phil Mitchell. With such a strong line-up, the atmosphere felt tense as everyone waited to hear the winner’s name.
Steve’s Long-Awaited Win
Fans rushed online with their takes. One said Jack looked furious about losing again, while another joked that both David Platt and Belle Dingle were “fuming.” Someone else described Jack as raging, and others accused the Corrie stars of looking like sore losers as Steve made his way to the stage. Later backstage, Steve said he was over the moon about the win.
The reactions quickly became the talking point of the night. Some fans defended Jack and Eden, saying the cameras probably caught them at an awkward second. But plenty of others felt their disappointment was written all over their faces. For Coronation Street viewers, it was another tough loss in a category they’ve battled for many times before. For EastEnders fans, though, Steve’s victory was cause for celebration, especially given his long history on the show.
So while the soaps will carry on with their dramatic storylines on screen, it was the unscripted reactions in the audience that had everyone talking this time. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for all the latest Coronation Street updates.