Fans go wild for Jane McDonald's hosting debut at the British Soap Awards trends now
Jane McDonald's debut as host of the British Soap Awards was lauded by viewers on Tuesday night, after she was announced as a last-minute replacement for Phillip Schofield.
The singer and self-confessed soaps fan, 60, dazzled in a gold sequinned gown as she took to the stage for the ceremony at the Lowery Theatre.
Kicking off the star-studded ceremony, Jane told the audience: 'I've got to say I am a massive fan of the soaps so this is my dream job. Welcome to you all, thank you for having me.'
Her appearance was also met with excitement by the cast members, with Hollyoaks actress Nikki Sanderson revealing fellow cast member Ross Adams, who plays Scott Drinkwell, was particularly excited about the new host.
She said: 'Ross Adams is like her biggest fan ever, as soon as he found out, he was completely fangirling about it. So it's really exciting for us that she's doing it but really exciting for Ross.'
Sensational! Jane McDonald's debut as host of the British Soap Awards was lauded by viewers on Tuesday night, after she was announced as a last-minute replacement for Phillip Schofield
Amazing! The singer and self-confessed soaps fan dazzled in a gold sequinned gown as she took to the stage for the ceremony at the Lowery Theatre
Viewers certainly seemed to agree as they took to Twitter to praise Jane's stint as host, with many pleading that she become a permenant fixture at the awards.
One tweeted: 'Fair to say Jane McDonald is doing a great job under what must be some serious pressure,' while a second added: 'Jane McDonald is the perfect host for this I want her to do it every year.'
A third tweeted: 'Loving Jane McDonald as the new host. Hope she has the job permenantly now.'
One viewer added: 'Jane McDonald really is a breath of fresh air isn't she?'
Another fan lauded: 'Jane McDonald fits like a glove presenting the Soap Awards.'
The evening saw a whole host of famous faces collect gongs for their work, with EastEnders winning the coveted Best Soap prize, while Charlotte Jordan triumphed in Best Dramatic Performance for playing Daisy Midgeley in Coronation Street.
The soap won Villain of the Year for Aaron Thiara, who plays Ravi Gulati, and Best Young Performer, which went to Lillia Turner as Lily Slater.
Coronation Street won the most accolades of the night, with six prizes including for Best Single Episode and Scene of the Year for the show's depiction of an acid attack carried out by Justin Rutherford (Andrew Still), who had been stalking Daisy Midgeley (Charlotte Jordan).
Stellar! Kicking off the star-studded ceremony, Jane told the audience: 'I've got to say I am a massive fan of the soaps so this is my dream job. Welcome to you all, thank you for having me'
'Fits like a glove!' Viewers certainly seemed to agree as they took to Twitter to praise Jane's stint as host, with many pleading that she become a permenant fixture at the awards
Ryan Prescott, whose character Ryan Connor was injured in the attack, said there had been 330 acid attacks in Manchester in the last year.
He said: 'It was amazing to be part of something that could bring a light to something so sensitive and something that is happening way more than we actually know.'
Charlotte won Best Dramatic Performance, while the show's Dame Maureen Lipman, who plays Evelyn Plummer, won Best Comedy Performer and Channique Sterling-Brown won Best Newcomer for her performance as Dee-Dee Bailey.
The Weatherfield-based soap also went home with the Best Family award, which went to the
