Stars have arrived on the red carpet for the British Soap Awards and shared their verdict on Jane McDonald taking over hosting duties for the ceremony.
Former This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield had been due to host the awards show, being held at the Lowry in Salford Quays, Greater Manchester, on Saturday, but stepped down when he quit ITV amid a furore over his extramarital affair with a younger male colleague.
Singer and travel presenter Jane McDonald will take his place on stage as EastEnders, Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks and Doctors compete to be voted Best Soap by audiences.
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Claire Sweeney, who is due to appear on screens as Tyrone Dobbs' mother Cassie in Coronation Street later this month, said: "I'm just hoping she opens with a number.
"She's wonderful."
The former Brookside star said she was feeling a bit of "imposter syndrome" after joining the Corrie family. She said: "I'm such a big fan of the show, it hasn't hit me yet."
Hollyoaks actress Nikki Sanderson, who is nominated for best dramatic performance for her portrayal of Maxine Minniver, said 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."
The British Soap Awards airs Tuesday at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
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