CORONATION Street’s Vera Duckworth always insisted she was related to the Queen.

Prince Charles dispelled any doubts when he confirmed Vera’s status as soap royalty on a night of celebration for Weatherfield.

Actress Liz Dawn, 68, was a rover returned as she received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 10th British Soap Awards. There was barely a dry eye in the house as former co-star Antony Cotton led her to the stage to receive the accolade.

Even Steve McFadden – Albert Square tough guy Phil Mitchell – appeared to have something in his eye as the casts of Corrie, EastEnders, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks and Doctors gave Liz a standing ovation.

But hosts Phillip Schofield and Fern Britton had an extra surprise for Liz, watched in the audience by husband Don. “We know that Vera thought that she was second cousin to the Queen,” explained Phillip. “So I’m sure you will be delighted to know that His Royal Highness Prince Charles wanted to send a special message to you, Liz.”

The Corrie legend then brought the house down by interrupting: “Oh did he? He’s a lovely fella.”

Special message

Fern went on: “In that special message, he said, ‘His Royal Highness would like to send Liz Dawn his congratulations for her remarkable achievement and he sends his very best wishes for a successful and enjoyable awards evening.’ He was just sorry he wasn’t here himself.”

Back in January, millions of viewers watched Vera die from a heart attack while asleep at home in a chair. Liz’s decision to quit after three decades was prompted by chronic emphysema, which can leave her fighting for breath.

Dressed in elegant black, Liz confessed she thought she’d be relaxing at home in an old sweater, instead of attending the star-studded London awards, where she said herself she sounded a little breathless.

She paid tribute to co-star Bill Tarmey, as Jack – loving husband to his “little swamp duck” Vera. “I won the Lottery when I got Bill. We worked so hard together and he’s a lovely man.

“Looking back after 32 years, it’s only when you leave that you realise what a lovely life you’ve had. You meet some wonderful people. Not just in our programme. Every other. And it’s been fantastic. I wish I was young again – and do it all over again.”

Curly Watts

Former Corrie actor Kevin Kennedy, who played Vera’s one-time lodger Curly Watts, returned to hand over the award and read out the citation. He said: “Liz’s warm, caring and generous nature has been ever-present from the very first day she walked on to the Street. Each and every crew member will tell you she always asked after them and their families. In fact, everyone on the Street simply adores her.”

Liz was the undoubted star of the event – to be screened on ITV1 at 8pm on Wednesday – taking one of several awards for the Rovers regulars. Although EastEnders was named Best Soap, Coronation Street won more awards than the BBC1 show.

Hollyoaks scooped six, followed by five for Corrie, four for EastEnders and two for Emmerdale, with Doctors left empty-handed. From one soap performer at the end of her career to one just starting out.

Coronation Street’s Michelle Keegan, who plays Tina McIntyre, was voted Best Newcomer. Salford actress Michelle, 20, was plucked from the make-up counter at Selfridges in the Trafford Centre to star as the teen rebel, and has been on screen for just four months.

She look stunned when her win was announced, then kissed co-star Jack P Shepherd, who plays on-off screen boyfriend David Platt. “I’m just really overwhelmed,” she said.

Still shaking backstage, and clutching a glass of champagne, Michelle said: “I just can’t believe it. It’s happened so fast. I didn’t expect to win. It was just amazing being up for the nomination. I’m still shell-shocked.”

Villain

Jack was named Villain of the Year. He paid credit to the Coronation Street writers and later dedicated his award to Helen Worth, who plays his screen mum Gail. “Helen has been like my Jedi Master, really. She’s always taught me the ways of everything and took me under her wing. I love her. So I dedicate my award to Helen tonight.”

The young actor said he was “over the moon” for Michelle. “It’s been really hard for her because she’s come straight into it and had a storyline straight away and she hasn’t really stopped working. So I think she’s done a really good job and I think she deserved it tonight.”

Jack also told how younger members of the Corrie cast were in awe of Liz Dawn.

“You don’t really realise what she has done – the amount of years that she has put into it and the memorable scenes. She’s done an amazing job.

“It’s a surprise to me that she hasn’t won Special Achievement before tonight. But she fully deserved it.”

Viewers voted Rob James Collier, who plays the soon to depart Weatherfield factory boss Liam Connor, Sexiest Male for the second year running.

Acting ability

After being congratulated by actresses Alison King (Carla Connor) and Kym Ryder (Michelle Connor), he joked: “Thank you very much for this award, that really reflects acting ability.”

Corrie’s fifth award – Best Comedy Performance – was taken by Maggie Jones, who treads the cobbles as grumpy pensioner Blanche Hunt. Sadly, Maggie was unable to attend after her recent fall, so Katherine Kelly, better known as Roy’s Rolls’ Becky Grainger, accepted it on her behalf.

“She’d have loved to have been here tonight, Maggie,” said Katherine. “She’s an absolutely awesome, lovely lady – she’s nothing like Blanche, I promise you. I’m going to give this to her back in Manchester.”

Manchester-based Hollyoaks star Chris Fountain, who plays Justin Burton, was named Best Actor but also missed the awards as he was performing in Liverpool on the Dancing On Ice Live Tour.

Former Corrie star Julie Goodyear, known to generations of soap fans as Bet Lynch, appeared on stage to introduce a review of the last 10 years. “I love soaps, and not just because I was in one,” she explained, “but because the characters are so real – it’s no wonder soaps continually create the most talked about TV in Britain.”

Oldham-born Phillip Schofield, 45, bravely went on stage to co-host the awards just two days after his father Brian, 72, died, having lost his battle with heart disease.

For all the latest news from the world of television, check out Ian Wylie's blog,  The Life of Wylie . And click on the related article link on the right to find out who shone in the style stakes.

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