EastEnders couldn’t hold on for a second year running.

Emmerdale has won the Serial Drama prize at the National Television Awards 2024, regaining its crown after being beaten by EastEnders last year.

At last night’s (September 11) ceremony, it was announced that the general public had voted the ITV soap as the winner. It had previously won every year between 2017 and 2020 and also in 2022 (Coronation Street won in 2021, and EastEnders last year).

Dozens of cast and crew members stood on stage, and Matty Barton actor Ash Palmisciano got to hold the award and deliver the acceptance speech.

“Thank you so, so much for this award. It means the absolute world to us,” he said. “As actors, we are so lucky that we get to work on this show and get to tell amazing stories about people.

“Emmerdale isn’t just a massive cast, it’s a whole team of people… Our crew are there first thing in the morning and leave at the last hour of the night, and it does get cold in the ‘dales. You are the heart and soul of Emmerdale.”

He finished his speech by addressing the fans, saying: “We promise you we’ll continue to make fantastic television. We will continue to tell stories that matter.”

Meanwhile, Belle Dingle actor Eden Taylor-Draper was nominated for Serial Drama Performance but lost out to Peter Ash, who plays Paul Foreman in Corrie. Or rather, played. The character’s final scenes aired this week after months of a heartbreaking motor neurone disease storyline.

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.