The British Soap Awards are airing this evening on ITV1 - as soap fans rush to their TVs to watch their favourite soap stars pick up some huge prizes including Best British Soap, Best Leading Performer and Best Villain.
The event took place at The Lowry Theatre in Salford, Manchester on Saturday evening in front of the UK's biggest soap stars. From EastEnders, the likes of Danielle Harold (Lola), Jamie Borthwick (Jay) and Shona McGarty (Whitney Dean) sat front row, with their Coronation Street counterparts including Charlotte Jordan (Daisy) and Ryan Prescott (Ryan) just further down the row.
The stars of Emmerdale were also out in full force with soap legend Mark Charnock (Marlon), Lewis Cope (Nicky) and Olivia Bromley (Dawn) amongst the stars representing the Dales. The cast of Doctors and Hollyoaks were also out to celebrate their wins too.
Jane McDonald served as host of the show, which will air at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX tonight.
However, there's a lot of things you don't see from home - and we've got the inside scoop on what you might have missed on TV!
'Missing' cast
Whilst the show isn't technically live, it's filmed as if it is, which means they need to do links as if it's being broadcasted with breaks. For those in the auditorium, that means the live event is filmed with multiple breaks but they need to stay in their seats.
That didn't stop some soap stars taking a moment to step out of the auditorium and as a result - and something which is regularly used in events like the Oscars and Golden Globes - placeholder people take their seats so nothing looks awry from the wide shots!
Due to the cast coming and going at times, that led to lots of seat swapping - but luckily, none of those people who swapped ended up away from the ends of the rows so their live reaction to their nomination and, for some, wins could be captured on camera!
Jane's return to the Soap Awards
Jane stepped in to host the show following Phillip's decision to step down. Fans who packed into the Lowry Theatre loved her as the host and were keen to see her back at the helm of the show when it comes around next year.
When one audience member shouted out if she'd be back next year, she vowed she would if they'd have her.
She was announced as the host just a few days before the ceremony took place over the weekend. In a message to announce the news, she shared: "Oh my god…..everyone knows how much I LOVE my soaps, this year I’ve been honoured to be mentioned in Corrie, EastEnders and Emmerdale, so this is just a dream come true.
"I can’t wait to see all our wonderful soap nominees and celebrate all their hard work with them - roll on the awards, I can’t wait!"
Dig at the Tories
Even the British Soap Awards can't get away from the furore surrounding Westminster at present!
Boris Johnson has been asked to hand over his WhatsApp messages. Last week, the Government said it would seek a judicial review rather than hand over WhatsApp messages and pads belonging to the former Prime Minister. However, the day after Mr Johnson said he was unwilling to be a "test case" and said he'd hand over the material himself.
During the awards on Saturday, comedian Chris McCausland was on hand to give out the Best Comedy Performance award. As he chatted about how sinister the soap storylines could be, he joked: "All the lying, backstabbing, you're as bad as those in Westminster," which earned a raucous laugh from the crowd. He then added: "If they don't like it, they can send me a message on WhatsApp!"
Jane's Wagamamas confession
Jane McDonald took to the stage to host the awards after Phillip Schofield stepped down from ITV.
The TV presenting legend wowed the crowds with her hosting skills, with audience members regularly shouting out to her. She always entertained them, saying back how much she loved them too and thanking them for being there.
Her confession about the chilli squid from Wagamamas had everyone laughing, as she joked about how it was repeating on her after she sat down from the meal just a few hours before her soap awards debut.
Jane was always encouraged by the loud crowd and the soap stars, having made a few slip-ups here and there, which were all re-filmed to make the final edit smoother. For one segment, she even ended up sat on the knee of one of the Hollyoaks stars!
Name blunder
Blunders don't usually make the edit - but it remains to be seen if this one will be kept in!
Wilfred Webster, who gained fame for his part in deceiving the Faithful on The Traitors, was in charge of presenting the Best Villain award. He came out with his green cloak on before throwing the hood down to present the gong.
As he read out the names of the nominees, which included Corrie's Stephen Reid (Todd Boyce) and Emmerdale's Al Chapman ( Michael Wildman ), he made a bit of a slip-up when it came to reading out Aaron Thiara's (Ravi from EastEnders) name.
Pronouncing it A-ron, the whole EastEnders cast was in fits of laughter as they shouted his 'new' name when it was announced he had won. When Wilf read out the winner's name, he pronounced it Aaron so someone must have had a quiet word with him!
