Emmerdale scooped the coveted Serial Drama Performance award at the National Television Awards (NTAs) on Tuesday (22.01.19).
The ITV soap beat off competition from rivals Coronation Street, EastEnders and Hollyoaks to scoop the prestigious accolade at London’s The O2, with a large number of cast members getting on stage to accept the award.
Speaking on their behalf, actress Isabel Hodgins – who plays Victoria Sugden – said: “Thank you so, so much to everyone who voted, Emmerdale is an amazing place to work and it’s full of such hardworking people.
“I’d like to thank the cast, the crew, the ADs who I adore, the production, storyliners, producers, everybody who works there.
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“Thanks so much to the audience because we wouldn’t have a show without you, your support is incredible and this is an amazing way to start 2019 and it means the world, so thank you so much.”
And that wasn’t the only win for the Dales, as James Moore took home the Newcomer honour for his portrayal of Charity Dingle’s long-lost son Ryan Stocks.
He said in his acceptance speech: “Thank you so much, this means the world to me…
“For Emmerdale to take on someone with a disability, it shows the progression we need in this day in age….
“I’ve got to thank Iain McLeod who took me on, all the amazing cast I can see down there, this means the world to me.
“And to you guys, the public, thank you so much.”
However, it wasn’t a clean sweep for the soap as EastEnders actor Danny Dyer’s portrayal of Mick Carter won him Best Serial Drama Performance.
Accepting his award, the 41-year-old star paid tribute to his “brothers and sisters” on the show.
He said: “I can’t believe that, wow, thank you. I want to thank all my EastEnders mob over there, I love you, you’re like my brothers and sisters.
“I just want to say all you young kids living out in poverty, who don’t think they have a right to dream or believe, don’t let where you’ve come from define who you are in life.”
He then grew emotional, much to his own horror, as he paid tribute to late playwright Harold Pinter.
He said: “I’m gonna dedicate this award to Harold Pinter, a man who believed in me and a friend I love greatly.
“He believed in me when no one else did.
“I got all [bleep] emotional, I don’t know what’s the matter with me, for [bleep’s] sake.
“I live by two rules, curb your ego, nourish your soul, goodnight.”