Hollyoaks wins Mental Health Award

Channel Four soap Hollyoaks has won a prestigious award for its sensitive portrayal of Hannah Ashworth’s [Emma Rigby] battle with anorexia.

The critically acclaimed storyline, which saw Emma Rigby pick up the highly coveted Best Actress Award at this year’s British Soap Awards, witnessed Hannah Ashworth descend into anorexic hell. The show’s producers also worked alongside B-eat to ensure as accurate a portrayal as possible, whilst exploring the impact anorexia has on young people’s lives.

“This is fantastic recognition for a storyline I was very privileged to be part of. There was a lot of research with Hannah’s plight and I’m pleased that it’s paid off. Hopefully we’ve shown through the storyline that people can recover.” Emma Rigby, who plays Hannah

The award rounds off an incredible year for the Lime Pictures production which also won its first ever National Television Award (Matt Littler for Outstanding Serial Drama Performance) this year, and secured a haul of six at this year’s British Soap Awards.

“Hollyoaks’ win at the Mental Health awards rounds off another brilliant year for the show. Emma’s portrayal was raw and from the heart and she totally deserves this awards success. It’s yet more proof that Hollyoaks has grown up into a mature, agenda setting programme.” Bryan Kirkwood, Hollyoaks Producer