Denise Welch Crowned Queen of Soaps at the 2025 British Soap Awards
Last night’s British Soap Awards was nothing short of a television spectacle, but one moment truly stood out and stole the show—Denise Welch receiving a surprise honour that left both the audience and herself stunned. Imagine you're tuning in to see your favourite soap stars collect awards, and suddenly, a beloved icon like Denise, who's supposed to be presenting the "Best Newcomer" award, ends up being the centre of a heartwarming twist. That’s exactly what happened.
Denise Welch, known for her powerhouse roles in Coronation Street , Hollyoaks , EastEnders , and more recently Emmerdale , was unexpectedly awarded a special accolade live on stage. She walked on alongside Martin Kemp, ready to hand over a trophy, but before they could proceed, Martin turned to her and said, “Before we go any further, there’s something very special I need to mention.” The room shifted. Denise, completely unaware, stood stunned as Martin revealed she had officially become the only actor to have featured in all four major British soaps—an extraordinary feat.
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The award she received was aptly named the CHEE Award , a clever acronym that combines the initials of Coronation Street , Hollyoaks , EastEnders , and Emmerdale . But what made it even more special were the personal mementos crafted into the trophy itself: a cobblestone from Coronation Street , a wellington boot representing Emmerdale , a pub label from The Dog in the Pond in Hollyoaks , and even one of Pat Butcher’s iconic earrings from EastEnders . It was a celebration of not just her career, but British soap history.
Denise, visibly emotional, thanked the crowd and shared a laugh saying, “Hey Mum and Dad, I’ve won a CHEE!” and cheekily added, “I don’t mind who wins best soap tonight—I’ve been in all of them.” That kind of self-awareness and charm is exactly why fans across the UK were calling her the “Queen of England” on social media that night. One viewer wrote they were "crying", another gushed, "It’s so nice to see her finally get this recognition."
Of course, EastEnders had a sweeping night too—taking home eight awards including Best British Soap, Best Villain (Navin Chowdhry as Nish Panesar), and Best Leading Performer (Lacey Turner as Stacey Slater). The ceremony, hosted by Jane McDonald at the Hackney Empire, had a dramatic start itself. Viewers were thrown into confusion when ITV accidentally aired a “breaking news” announcement before the broadcast began. For five whole minutes, all we saw was an apology screen. Some fans even feared another lockdown alert! But it turned out to be a cheeky bit of scripted fun involving Loose Women ’s Charlene White, easing viewers into the big night.
Ultimately, this year’s Soap Awards were a true reminder of why the genre remains beloved. From powerhouse performances to emotional tributes, and Denise Welch’s historic CHEE moment, the night celebrated not just the soaps, but the icons who make them unforgettable. And Denise? She reminded us that longevity, talent, and versatility deserve to be honoured—especially when you’ve left your mark on every cobblestone and corner of soapland.
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