MAISIE Smith and Sam Aston were among the iconic stars to appear in an epic Soap Awards throwback this evening.
In lieu of the actual British Soap Awards ceremony this year, ITV tonight aired a special episode that looked back at some of the show’s most memorable moments.
And viewers at home were left “emotional” at a segment dedicated to some of soap’s most recognisable faces who grew up before our very eyes.
Ellis Hollins – who was the youngest ever winner aged five – and Alex Bain were also among the former child stars to feature.
Fans flocked to social media to share their reaction to the adorable scenes, with one writing: “Wow it’s mad looking at them how young they all look they looked so cute”.
Another added: “Awwww… @Ellis_Hollins and @maisie_smith_ @SamAston93 How cute were they!! #soapawards
“They were so well deserved winners and now they’re all grown up!”
A third joked: “Loved tonight’s @SoapAwards programme, but I nearly screamed when I saw some of the young actors… makes me feel like I’m 87.”
One more shared: “That was emotional looking back on the memories.”
Sam, 27, has played Chesney Brown in Corrie since he was 10 years old, and won the Best Young Performer gong in 2005 – aged 12.
Four years later, a then-eight-year-old Maisie won it for her role as Tiffany Butcher in EastEnders.
She had the audience in hysterics when host Phil asked if there was anything she’d like to say and she replied: “I dunno.”
Maisie then said she’d put the award in her lounge.
Alex started playing Simon Barlow in Coronation Street in 2008, and won the accolade three years later at the age of seven.
In 2015, it was seven-year-old Amelia Flanagan’s turn for her role as April Windsor in Emmerdale.
The youngest ever winner, Ellis, won his award for playing Tom Cunningham in Hollyoaks.
He got the role when he was just three years old, and won the award shortly after his fifth birthday.
Ellis was speechless at the time, with castmates adorably whispering who he should thank to him up on stage – but Ellis mis-hearing several times.
Last year’s winner, EastEnders’ Kara-Leah Fernandes, also featured in the clip.
Earlier today, Emmerdale’s Kelvin Fletcher had his followers melting as he proudly shared a throwback to the time he picked up a British Soap Award for his role as Andy Sugden in the soap aged 15.
