Last weekend, The Royal Television Society Awards North West returned to the Hilton Deansgate and saw the stars of our favourite programmes walk the red carpet before enjoying an evening of celebration. Coronation Street had some triumphant wins, whilst Peter Kay’s comedy Car Share also came away away as a big winner.

On the red carpet, VIVA caught up with some of our favourite stars from the cobbles and some beauties from Hollyoaks to find out what will be happening over the festive season, their most meaningful projects and the best piece of career advice they’ve received during their time on screen.

Twinnielee Moore (Porsche McQueen) Hollyoaks 

So, you made your exit from the show this week, how was it?

Emotional, I’m really sad to go.

What has been the most meaningful/best project you have been involved in so far?

Probably this [referring to her current storyline in Hollyoaks]. Aside from writing music, which is my first love, this NSPCC storyline has been amazing. Our [Hollyoaks] demographic are most probably the demographic who don’t even know they’re being abused so I’ve been really honoured to be a part of that, spread the word and get it out there, which is exactly what I feel like the show has done, it’s sent a really good message.

What’s the best piece of career advice someone has ever given you?

Theres two, that two people have given me, both of which are high up in the industry and I really respect. One is go where the work is and take the money where you can, and the other one was to take it because you want the role. This is a really hard industry to be in so you really have to love what you do and I feel that you need that passion and you have to work hard.

Is there a character in fiction or literature that you have a dream of playing?

I’ve read the Bronte books which I love. I always get cast as either the villain or the strong character, so it would quite nice to the play the girl next door.

Have you got anything else in the pipeline? What are your career plans for 2016?

Maybe… I’ve got a few things lined up and I’m signed up to Universal Productions. I do a lot of writing, music is first passion and I’m releasing an EP next year and writing music for various people, and a couple of films.

Nikki Sanderson (Maxine Minniver) Hollyoaks

How is everything going with the show?

Really well, Jeremy Sheffield [who plays Patrick] is leaving, so we’re filming all of his final scenes. It’s all good fun, it’s been really interesting so I’m looking forward to seeing what will people will think of it once it’s been on screen.

You two have shared a hard-hitting storyline…

It’s been intense, it’s been one of them things that I think people have really enjoyed watching, because it’s not only been good drama wise, it’s been quite knowledgable in the sense that through running the storyline, people are aware that there are different signs of domestic abuse and what to watch out for and how it’s not just physical violence that constitutes domestic violence. It’s been a hard hitting storyline and it’s going to be like that to the end.

What’s the best piece of career advice someone has ever given you?

Be nice to everybody on the way up and get a good representation for yourself. At the end of the day, the people you meet on your way up are going to be the people you’ll meet on your way down and everyones equal. I don’t like it when people separate themselves into actors, crew… we’re all in it to make the same programme, we’re in the same industry, treat everybody equally and each other with respect.

What’s the biggest challenge of your career so far?

The domestic violence storyline was definitely a challenge because it was so long running, it was 18 months of my life. I feel like I proved myself as an actress and it pushed me further. Some of the content of the storyline has been very difficult physically, mentally and emotionally so, I’d say the domestic violence storyline and the content and what they wanted me to do has definitely been challenging but also very rewarding.

Is there a character in fiction or literature that you have a dream of playing?

Definitely something fictional, such as something in Supernatural or American Horror Story, something along the gothic line. It would be cool to pay something not pretty, but gothic and scary.

What are your career plans for 2016?

I’m still at Hollyoaks, so you’ll be seeing a lot more from Maxine. I don’t know if she’s going to be happy, sad or even in turmoil. 2016 will be as much of a surprise to me as it is to you.

Jack P Shepard (David Platt) Coronation Street 

Are you looking forward to the awards tonight?

Yeah, I’m not up for anything so I can relax, sit back and enjoy myself. Corrie’s up for a few, so that’ll be nice, hopefully we’ll get to cheer and not boo.

What can we expect from Christmas on the cobbles this year?

From the Platts, you can expect a lot of turmoil as always, but also there is a happy thing too- but I can’t tell you what that is. One side of the Platts are happy and the other side are depressed.

Whats your favourite story line been as being playing David Platt?

This story line has been quite big and it had a big part in the live episode so it was nice to be in that with a big part.

Will you still be at Corrie in 2016?

I’ll still be there, I love it there, all the people. I couldn’t wish for a better job.

Catherine Tyldesley (Eva Price) Coronation Street 

You’ve come back to the cobbles with a bang, what have you got coming up over the next few weeks?

As always, Eva’s love life get’s interesting and there will be a lot of flirting with Aidan, who is played by the lovely Shayne Ward. I can’t tell you too much but let’s just the path is smooth. We’ve got some really cool and funny story lines coming up, I’m not sure what the long term plans are but it’s been really nice working with Shayne.

Do you think you’ll be involved much when Ryan leaves as Jason?

I hope so. I absolutely adore Ryan, I love working with him and he’s a great friend, so naturally I’m very sad that he’s going but I’m excited to see what he does.

You were at the relaunch of Walrus and the launch of Cabana… did you enjoy them?

Loved them both. I will certainly be going back, I though the food at Cabana was gorgeous.

How did you get ready for the awards tonight?

Phillip Armstrong kindly gave me this dress to wear, I’m a big fan of Phillip’s and a couple of girls called Carly and Colette did my hair and make up, I use them all the time, they’re brilliant.

What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever been given?

Visualisation I think. I visualise whatever I want from my career and life, and I think if you can see something, you can achieve it- as cheesy as that sounds. I always have pictures of things on my fridge so I can see it everyday.

Winners

Best Animation / Puppetry

Twirlywoos: Underneath

Mackinnon and Saunders / Ragdoll Productions for CBeebies

Best Children’s Programme (Pre-School) 

Stargazing

BBC Children’s for CBeebies

Best Children’s Programme (School Age) 

Being Me: A Newsround Special

BBC Children’s for CBBC

Best Learning or Education Programme (In memory of Katy Jones)

BBC Ten Pieces

BBC Music Television

/Somethin’ Else for BBC Learning

Best Current Affairs Programme

How Safe are My Drugs?

BBC Current Affairs Salford for BBC Three

Best Production (Craft) 

Sleeping Lions

Libra Television/ David and Goliath for BBC Two

Best Post Production (craft)

Peter Kay’s Car Share

Core Post for BBC One

Best Use of Multiplatform

FA People’s Cup with BBC Get Inspired

BBC Sport for BBC Get Inspired

Best Regional News Journalist

Elaine Wilcox

ITV News Granada Reports for ITV

Best Regional News Programme 

BBC North West Tonight – Compilation

BBC North West Tonight for BBC One

Best Regional Story

The Alan Morris Trial

Title Role Productions/ ITV News Granada Reports for ITV

Best Sports Programme

Arthur Ashe: More Than A Campaign

BBC Sport for BBC Two

Best Low Budget Programme 

Sporting Reds: Million Dollar Dreams

MUTV for MUTV

Best Script Writer

Peter Kay / Sian Gibson /

Paul Coleman / Tim Reid: Peter Kay’s Car Share

Goodnight Vienna Productions for BBC One

Best Performance in a Comedy

Peter Kay: Peter Kay’s Car Share

Goodnight Vienna Productions for BBC One

Best Performance in a continuing Drama 

Simon Gregson: Coronation Street

ITV Studios for ITV

Best Single Documentary 

Executed

Shiver for ITV

Best Performance in a Single Drama or Drama Series (male)

Fisayo Akinade: Banana

Red Production Company for E4

Best Performance in a Single Drama or Drama Series (female)

Julie Hesmondalgh – Black Roses: The Killing of Sophie Lancaster

BBC Learning for BBC Two

Best Factual Series 

Scrappers

Liberty Bell Productions for BBC One

Best Factual Entertainment Programme 

Perspectives: Michael Jackson’s Thriller with Ashley Banjo

Blakeway North for ITV

Best Entertainment Programme

Sam and Mark’s Big Friday Wind-Up

BBC Children’s for CBBC

Best Comedy Programme 

Peter Kay’s Car Share

Goodnight Vienna Productions for BBC One

Best Single Drama or Drama Series 

Black Roses: The Killing of Sophie Lancaster

BBC Learning for BBC Two

Best Continuing Drama Storyline

Coronation Street: Steve’s Depression

ITV Studios for ITV

Special award – Judges Award goes to Peter Salmon

Photographs by Stephen Farrell