On the grandest night of British television’s soapy calendar, tensions ran higher than the glittering ceiling lights at the British Soap Awards. Fans gathered around their screens expecting glamour, triumph, and a celebration of the nation’s most beloved characters. But for EastEnders fans, the event became something far darker—a tale of muted voices, corporate chaos, and rising fury.

The story unfolds with a bang—or rather, a glitch. As viewers tuned in, ready for a smooth and star-studded broadcast, the screen went black. A static message blinked into view: “We’re sorry for the disruption.” Seven full minutes of silence. Seven minutes of confused tweets, missed entrances, and a growing sense of dread. For ITV1, it was a tech nightmare; for the loyal viewers of EastEnders, it was only the beginning of the evening’s controversies.

When the broadcast resumed, things seemed to stabilize, and the awards were dished out. The BBC’s EastEnders dominated, scooping a triumphant eight wins, including Best Soap, Best Leading Performer, and Scene of the Year. It was a clean sweep that stunned rivals and thrilled fans. But among the victories and celebrations, a single loss left a bitter aftertaste: the Best Newcomer award.

The prize went to Isabelle Smith, who plays Francine Osborne on Hollyoaks. A solid, well-received choice. But the audience inside the venue had their hearts set on someone else: Laura Doddington, the electric force behind EastEnders’ fiery Nicola Mitchell. In a moment that was supposed to be filled with applause and smiles, the live crowd erupted—not in boos or disappointment, but in chanting.

“Laura! Laura! Laura!”

It rang out through the venue, a defiant roar of support. Phones captured the moment, fans cheered, cast members smiled. But when the ceremony aired on ITVX, those chants had vanished. Edited out. Silenced.

On social media, the backlash was immediate and fierce. Viewers accused ITV of censorship, claiming the cheers for Laura were deliberately cut to preserve the illusion of a smooth night. One viewer posted: “ITVX cutting the chants for Laura is EVIL.” Another added: “The huge (edited out) chants of ‘Laura! Laura!’ from the audience hopefully made up for her not winning.”

It wasn’t just disappointment—it was outrage.

Amidst the chants, the glitch, and the growing noise online, conspiracy theories took root. Could ITV have intentionally disrupted or downplayed moments tied to EastEnders’ success? One fan tweeted: “Are ITV going to apologize for the next 2 hours just because EastEnders won almost everything?” Others suggested that the network’s ongoing financial struggles and internal drama with Coronation Street had something to do with the lacklustre attention given to the BBC soap’s biggest names.

The evening’s irony? Despite the missing award, Laura Doddington had already won the hearts of the public. Her portrayal of Nicola Mitchell—a complex, fiery character entangled in explosive rivalries like her feud with Sharon Watts—had left a lasting mark on Walford and beyond. While the trophy went elsewhere, the audience’s reaction made one thing clear: Laura is a star, with or without a statue.

Inside the venue, even as Hollyoaks’ Isabelle gracefully accepted her award, there was a noticeable tension. Cast members from EastEnders looked visibly emotional. The chants lingered long after they stopped echoing through the auditorium. Everyone knew they had just witnessed a star-making moment—not for the winner, but for the woman who didn’t take the stage.

Meanwhile, Coronation Street endured a harsh night, walking away with only one honor: a specially curated Outstanding Achievement Award for longtime actor David Neilson (Roy Cropper). The lack of wins in any of the main categories highlighted a deeper problem—one the network couldn’t edit out. With declining viewership, cast departures, and budgetary woes, ITV’s flagship soap found itself overshadowed on its own turf.

As the ceremony ended, the backlash only intensified. The night that should have been remembered for EastEnders’ overwhelming success is now forever tinged with the image of muted applause, silenced support, and a fierce debate over how television treats its rising stars.

And yet, perhaps there’s a silver lining in the drama. By silencing the chants, the editors may have inadvertently created an even louder message. Because now, everyone’s talking about Laura Doddington—not just as a contender, but as a frontrunner for next year’s crown.

The cameras may have cut away, but the people have spoken.

Nicola Mitchell might throw punches on screen, but it’s Laura Doddington who’s just shaken the real-world soap scene to its core.