Hollyoaks' Alex Fletcher gets standing ovation at Inside Soap Awards 2026 as she collects special prize

Hollyoaks' Alex Fletcher received a standing ovation at the Inside Soap Awards last night, while collecting a special prize. The star was recognised for her Outstanding Achievement, after an impressive soap career spanning more than 30 years.

Fletcher made her acting debut on Channel 4's Brookside, where she played Jacqui Dixon from 1990 to 2003. She then joined Hollyoaks in 2010 as Diane Hutchinson (formerly O'Connor), before deciding to leave the role earlier this year.

Fan favourite Diane tragically passed away in May, following a difficult battle with terminal ovarian cancer. Her death marked the end of Fletcher's 16-year run on the soap.

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While accepting the award for Outstanding Achievement, the star reflected on her career and described herself as "blessed".

"I've had the pleasure of doing two amazing soaps in Liverpool. I did Brookside for 15 years, I did Hollyoaks for 16 [years]," she said. "And every day I think, 'how blessed have I been?'"

"Honest to god, I didn't know about this," she said of the award. "I genuinely didn't know about it."

Fletcher explained how she was asked to come into work to take some behind-the-scenes pictures, and thought the Hutchinsons might be "shortlisted" for a "Best Family" award.

When she arrived on set, she was met by Nick Pickard (who plays Tony Hutchinson) and the rest of her on-screen family, before being presented with a floral bouquet by executive producer Hannah Cheers.

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"I don't know what it is about being on a soap; you've gotta stay grounded, you've gotta stay humble. We all know how bloody hard it is, day in, day out, learning them lines," the star continued.

Fletcher became choked up as she praised her fellow actors, saying she was "so made up to be in a room like this, where you all get it". Following her emotional speech, she received a thunderous applause and standing ovation from the crowd, celebrating her special win.

Hollyoaks airs on Mondays-Wednesdays with its Channel 4 streaming premiere at 7am, then an E4 broadcast the same night at 7pm. Full episodes are also released on YouTube a week after their Channel 4 release.

Selected omnibus episodes are available via Prime Video.

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The new edition of Legends, a 100-page celebration of Dolly Parton's life, is here. Buy Dolly in newsagents or online.