Stars bubble with excitement at soap bash
The biggest names from the world of soap were tonight beginning to arrive for the most glamorous award ceremony of their year.
Celebrities from Albert Square to Brookside Close, Weatherfield to Emmerdale, were all smiles as they made their way up the purple carpet to the annual British Soap Awards.
One of the first to arrive at BBC Television Centre, where the two and a half hour ceremony was taking place, was Jessie Wallace, who plays Kat Slater in EastEnders, and is nominated for Best Actress Award.
Wearing an off-the-shoulder black evening dress she stopped and posed for photographs as well as signing autographs for the crowd of 100 fans who had waited up to seven hours to catch a glimpse of their favourite soap stars.
Ms Wallace said it would ‘‘be great’’ if she was to win an award at this year’s Soap Awards and added: ‘‘It’s been a great year for me and for us all.’’
Next to follow her was fellow EastEnders star Lucy Benjamin, who plays Lisa Fowler, and was wearing a short off-the-shoulder yellow floral dress, dotted with large sunflowers.
Miss Benjamin, who arrived without her partner and former on-screen love Steve McFadden, refused to talk to reporters but posed for photographs and signed autographs for fans.
EastEnders battered wife and Best Actress nominee Kacey Ainsworth was next to arrive at the glitzy bash, hogging the limelight from Brookside’s sexy actress Jennifer Ellison, who arrived wearing a long black dress, preferring to cover-up rather more than she has done in the past.
Speaking to reporters Ms Ainsworth said the last year on the BBC hit soap had taken a lot out of her both mentally and physically.
She said: ‘‘It does take quite a lot out of you, but it’s brilliant to be part of those dramatic scenes.
‘‘It would be fantastic to win tonight but to be nominated is fantastic because it’s voted by the public and it shows the popularity.’’
Wearing a silver dress she said that her on-screen partnership with Villain of the Year nominee Alex Fearns is ‘‘very special’’.
Mr Fearns, who arrived with his pregnant wife Jennifer, said he had had a ‘‘rocking’’ year, with August and the birth of his child being the ‘‘real test’’.
’’The last year has been absolutely perfect. The character has really taken off and things just seem to be getting better.’’
Describing his on-screen relationship with Miss Ainsworth as ‘‘explosive’’ he added: ‘‘We have got on so well working on the set. I have got a whole speech planned if I win anything tonight and I will have to mention Kacey, because she is amazing.’’
While plenty of leg was on show many of the country’s sexiest female soap stars decided to cover up, and several opted for floral summer dresses.
