‘Emmerdale’ actress Verity Rushworth dedicated her Best Scene win at the British Soap Awards on Saturday night to fellow nominee Anne Kirkbride.
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Anne had been given a posthumous nomination in the category, for her last ever scene in ‘Coronation Street’, where her character, Deirdre Barlow, came to the end of her tether and threw a trifle at her living room wall, before deciding to take some time away from the cobbles.
After accepting the award for the scene in which her ‘Emmerdale’ character, Donna Windsor, jumped off the roof of a multi-storey car park, Verity said: “Thank you so much, that was a treat of a monologue and was just gorgeous to play.
Verity Rushworth
“Personally, I would like to dedicate this award to Anne Kirkbride.”
However, Verity’s speech wasn’t the only tribute to Anne, who played Deirdre for over 40 years on ‘Corrie’ before her death back in January.
Her ‘Corrie’ co-stars Bill Roache and Beverley Callard - who played her onscreen husband and best friend, Ken Barlow and Liz McDonald - took to the stage to accept an Outstanding Contribution prize on Anne’s behalf.
Anne Kirkbride
Beverley said: “Annie was truly beautiful, inside and out.
“Her laugh was unforgettable. We all miss her so much every single day.”
Anne’s husband, David Beckett, also made an emotional speech in tribute to his late wife, saying: “On behalf of Annie, thank you. On behalf of the family, friends and co-workers, we were the lucky ones. Thanks Annie.”
Check out the full list of winners from the British Soap Awards below:
- Best Soap – EastEnders
- Best Actor – Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale in EastEnders)
- Best Actress – EastEnders Kellie Bright (Linda Carter in EastEnders)
- Villain of the Year – Jeremy Sheffield (Patrick Blake in Hollyoaks)
- Best Comedy Performance – Sally Dynevor (Sally Webster in Coronation Street)
- Best Newcomer – Jessica Regan (Niamh Donoghue in Doctors)
- Best Storyline – ‘Who Killed Lucy Beale?’ in EastEnders.
- Best Single Episode –‘EastEnders: The Live Episode
- Best Drama Performance – Kellie Bright (Linda Carter in EastEnders)
- Best On-Screen Partnership – Laurie Brett and Adam Woodyatt (Jane and Ian Beale in EastEnders)
- Best Young Performance – Amelia Flanagan (April Windsor in Emmerdale)
- Scene of the Year – Donna’s Goodbye in Emmerdale
- Outstanding Achievement Award – Anne Kirkbride in Coronation Street
- Outstanding Achievement (Off Screen) – EastEnders writer Rob Gittins