THE LOW DOWN
Patsy Palmer leaves British Soap Awards host Jane McDonald and viewers shell-shocked with bizarre ‘vagina’ speech
Michelle Collins, who plays Cindy Beale, looking mortified at her co-star's joke
PATSY Palmer left British Soap Awards host Jane McDonald open-mouthed during her bizarre speech about "vaginas".
The actress, who plays loudmouth Bianca Butcher on the BBC soap, was awarded Best Comedy Performance for her role.
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Patsy, 53, returned to the soap for the 40th anniversary in February, where her character was kidnapped by evil Reiss Colwell.
The iconic soap star, who dazzled in a cobalt blue suit, took to the stage to collect her award.
But the TV favourite stunned fans and those in the audience with her cheeky speech.
Patsy said: "Knock knock...
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"Listen I haven't prepared a speech because I thought Jack [P. Shepherd] was going to win," the camera then cut to the David Platt actor who pulled a surprised expression.
Patsy continued: "To be able to be funny and all of what we've seen tonight, is nothing short of a miracle really.
"I want to thank Shona McGarty for leaving, because if she hadn't have left, I wouldn't have come back.
"I wasn't expecting that and I'm so glad I did because I stayed for the 40th and that was really where we celebrated a woman's vagina.
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"I think vaginas have always been funny."
The star then burst out laughing, with Michelle Collins, who plays Cindy Beale, looking mortified.
Ian Beale actor Adam Woodyatt also looked gobsmacked at his co-star's remark, while host Jane McDonald was left shell-shocked.
The reference was clearly in relation to Sonia Fowler giving birth in the pub during the live 40th anniversary episode.
Sonia, played by Natalie Cassidy, welcomed baby daughter Julia during the Queen Vic's explosion.
The scene saw her give birth with the help of Bianca and Lauren Branning, portrayed by Jacqueline Jossa.
Despite leaving some stunned by her speech, the audience took it in good humour and were in hysterics.
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Patsy continued: "All jokes aside, coming back to EastEnders after quite some time has been the most amazing experience for me.
"I'm beyond grateful, I'm not going to cry because it's a comedy award, but you have no idea what a gift it has been for me to come back."
Following her speech, Jane returned to the stage.
Lost for words, the host said: "I don't know quite what to say. How many times can you say vagina in one speech."
EastEnders swept the board after collecting a total of eight gongs in its 40th anniversary year - more than double its nearest rival, Channel 4’s Hollyoaks who got three awards.
EastEnders was awarded Best Soap after its huge live episode and anniversary week which saw Anita Dobson return as Angie Watts and Martin Fowler killed off in the arms of his love, Stacey.
It was certainly not the only award that they picked up with actress Lacey Turner receiving the trophy for Best Leading Performer ahead of her impending exit from the show.
The 40th anniversary also managed to clutch the Scene of the Year thanks to Angie’s shock return.
Steve McFadden a won a trophy for Best Dramatic Performance as Phil Mitchell but did not attend the ceremony with Angela Wynter and Rudolph Walker also receiving prizes as Patrick and Yolande - beating Corrie fan favourites Lisa Swain and Carla Connor, affectionately known as Swarla, to the Best On-Screen Partnership award.
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The Walford based soap also collected the Comedy Performance gongs and Villain of the Year.
In a major blow to Coronation Street, only David Neilson picked up the Outstanding Achievement Award as Roy Cropper which was presented to him by by his on-screen wife Julie Hesmondhalgh.
British Soap Awards 2025: Winners List
Here's who took home trophys at the 2025 British Soap Awards
Best Single Episode - Eastenders: Phil’s Psychosis: The Mitchells In 1985
Best Young Performer - Emmerdale - Amelia Flanagan as April Windsor
Scene Of The Year - Eastenders: Angie Watts’ Shock Return
Best Newcomer - Hollyoaks: Isabelle Smith as Frankie Osborne
Villain Of The Year - Eastenders: Navin Chowdhry as Nish Panesar
Best Family - Hollyoaks: The Osbornes
Best Dramatic Performance - Eastenders: Steve McFadden as Phil
Mitchell
Best On-Screen Partnership - Eastenders: Rudolph Walker & Angela
Wynter as Patrick & Yolande Trueman
Outstanding Achievement Award - Coronation Street: David Neilson
Best Comedy Performance - Eastenders: Patsy Palmer as Bianca Jackson
The Tony Warren Award - Emmerdale: Mike Plant
Best Storyline - Hollyoaks: Sibling Sexual Abuse
Best Leading Performer - Eastenders: Lacey Turner as Stacey Slater
Best British Soap - Eastenders
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