The annual star-studded event on the calendar of every UK soap star was back in Manchester with a brand new host over the weekend, as Jane Mcdonald was announced as the replacement following Phillip Schofield stepping back from all his ITV duties following his affair with a younger male colleague.
The British Soap Awards brought together the best of television as a total of 14 awards were dished out on Saturday night, and BBC viewers were left in tears when the late Paul O'Grady made an unexpected cameo on Tuesday's recording.
The late comedian and television star tragically passed away earlier this year in March, and MEN reports that viewers were left "in bits" at an 'In memoriam' segment where Paul was fondly remembered.
Lily Savage star Paul was shown in front of the live audience at the weekend, which was broadcast to television screens on Tuesday, as soap stars who have died in the last year were remembered.
And it didn't take long for viewers to rush to social media to share their emotional thoughts over the touching segment.
One person wrote: "Managed to get through that until I saw Paul O'Grady," as someone else added: "Still can't watch any footage of Paul O'Grady without bursting into tears."
"I still cry every time I'm reminded Paul O'Grady isn't with us anymore. The best," wrote another Twitter user, as a fourth quipped: "Every time I see an awards show, show Paul O’Grady - I instantly cry and still can’t believe he’s gone I'm in bits #britishsoapawards2023 #SoapAwards."
But eagle-eyed viewers and soap fans were quick to notice a huge name missing from the tributes list, as they were left furious that late EastEnders legend June Brown, famed for playing Walford favourite Dot Cotton, was not included in the memorial round-up.
One person fumed: "How dare @SoapAwards miss out the legendary June Brown? They never paid her tribute she gave her life to TV and they don’t even have the decency to give her a tribute #britishsoapawards2023."
Someone else added: "Was expecting Goodbye Dot as a tribute to June Brown who was an EastEnders legend #britishsoapawards2023."
And it was left to fellow viewers and soap fans to clear things up as one user explained: "For anyone asking why they didn’t include a tribute to June Brown; she died in April 2022 so they paid tribute to her at last years show x #BritishSoapAwards2023."
Another quipped: "Oh my god June was in the memoriam section last year stop complaining #britishsoapawards2023."
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