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Manchester Evening News

Entertainment

Katie Fitzpatrick

Corrie star Sally Carman's one word reaction after winning big at TV awards as she reveals name change

Sally Carman Abi Franklin John Junior Charlie de Melo Imran Habeeb Adam Thomas Toyah Battersby Alfie Georgia Taylor Kevin Webster

Coronation Street star Sally Carman was on dazzling form as she won big at The Royal Television Society North West Awards. The actress, who plays reformed drug addict Abi Franklin in the soap, beamed as she picked up two awards on Saturday night at The Point at Lancashire Cricket Club.

The soap star, who has revealed that she has now changed her name to Sally Carman-Duttine after tying the knot with co-star Joe Duttine who plays Tim Metcalfe, was beaming as she picked up Best Performance In A Continuing Drama. And she was reunited with Georgia Taylor, who plays Toyah Battersby, and Charlie de Melo, who played Imran Habeeb, to collect Best Continuing Drama Storyline award for the hard-hitting Abi’s Baby Battle story.

As Sally shared a photo of herself holding her awards on Twitter she summed-up her feelings in one word as she gasped: "Crikey." Sharing more snaps of herself with the gongs and posing proudly with Georgia and Charlie she exclaimed: "Still can’t believe it!"

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Earlier this year her character was at the centre of a shocking storyline in the ITV soap when she gave birth after going into labour at the side of the road without realising she was pregnant with one-night stand Imran's baby. After fighting over custody of their son Alfie, his wife Toyah intentionally crashed her car into some scaffolding with Imran in the passenger seat after finding out he had committed perjury to stop Abi taking the baby.

Imran survived the crash but passed away from cardiac arrest after dragging Toyah from the vehicle to safety. In a shock twist Corrie legend Wendy Crozier returned a social worker to house Abi and Alfie after Abi was given custody of her son, on the condition that they were placed in a mother and baby foster family.

After Wendy helped Abi to bring her son back to Coronation Street and to her husband Kevin Webster in heart-warming scenes, fans have noticed that she hasn't been on the cobbles so much recently. Isasel56957272 tweeted to her after her win: "Haven't seen you and Kevin lately have you emigrated?" And @DJWMarathonMan asked: "When is Abi coming back to Weatherfield?"

@jackwilson9155 applauded: "Well done, I'm loving the new double barreled name xxxx" Over on Instagram her hubby commented on a photo of her holding up her awards: "Book ends." And co-star Simon Gregson who plays Steve McDonald joked: "Congratulations. They're the strangest boobs I’ve ever seen but congratulations on them my friend xx"

Hosts Adam Thomas and Jenny Powell handed out the gongs. And former Emmerdale star Adam, who will soon be back on our screens as Donte Charles in the reboot of school drama Waterloo Road, was all smiles as he posed with special guest John Junior, who picked up the Best Digital Creativity award for Hollyoaks IRL, a series of short films exploring real-life stories behind the Channel 4 soap.

John Junior and Charlie with host Adam Thomas (John Junior)

Last year their story was told in the short film Hollyoaks Saved My Life. They were jolted from the brink of suicide by a powerful storyline about mental health featuring the character Kyle Kelly and his grieving loved ones

In 2019, John, a mental health activist from Wilmslow who has teamed up with charities including the Samaritans, MIND, and Papyrus, to educate, raises awareness, break stigma and to prevent suicide, created a movement called John and Charlie’s Journey with their trusted toy duck. Charlie gets dressed up in different outfits to suit the occasion and John was joined on the red carpet by his fluffy friend who provides comfort to John and others in need.

Full List of Winners

Best Daytime Programme - Heaven Made

Best Sports Programme - Peter Crouch: Save Our Beautiful Game

Best Breakthrough Talent - Adelayo Adedayo

Best Journalist in the North West - Mel Barham

Best Regional Programme - Granada Reports

Best Regional Presenter - Chris Hall

Best Current Affairs Programme Dame Deborah James: The Last Dance

Best Pre-School Children’s Programme - Grace's Amazing Machines: Mobility Machines GRACE'S AMAZING

Best School-Age Children’s Programme - Dodger

Best Visual Post-production - Stay Close

Best Audio Post-production - Sherwood