PHILLIP Schofield’s British Soap Awards replacement Jane McDonald has been praised after the new host had fans in hysterics.
Earlier this week, The Sun exclusively revealed how Jane, 60, had stepped in to host the annual ceremony for the first time after Phillip, 61, announced he had quit ITV entirely and the award show, which he has hosted since 2006.
The star took to the red carpet in a red velvet gown, before changing into an even more fabulous glittering gold dress for the ceremony itself.
Jane was given a warm welcome by the soap stars from the likes of Emmerdale, EastEnders and Coronation Street, with an onlooker telling The Sun Online: “Jane is a natural at this.
"It’s obvious she loves soaps and the audience loves her for it. She had fans in hysterics with her performance - even breaking into song during the down bits.
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"It was like she’s been doing it for years. The audience and soap stars absolutely loved her.”
An insider added: “It’s clear the soap stars were all thrilled to have Jane hosting and not have anything overshadow their hard-work over the year, just as it should be.”
Coronation Street was the big winner at this year's British Soap Awards scooping six prizes - but it failed to snatch the big gong.
The ITV soap's hard-hitting acid attack storyline, actress Charlotte Jordan and Dame Maureen Lipman were all honoured at the glittering bash in Salford's Lowry Theatre.
Dame Maureen was crowned Best Comedy Performer for her role as Evelyn Plummer.
Cobbles' newcomer Channique Sterling-Brown also took home her own gong for Best Newcomer.
Best Single Episode went to stalker Justin's dramatic acid attack on Daisy Midgeley and Ryan Connor, while Daisy actress Charlotte Jordan also took home the award for Best Dramatic Performance.
The acid attack storyline also won again for Best Storyline.
Coronation Street took home the award for Best Soap Family for The Platts
But while Corrie took home a whopping six awards, it lost out on the coveted Best British Soap award to BBC rival EastEnders.
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The British Soap awards air on Tuesday, June 6 at 8pm on ITV1.
