❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).

Emmerdale wins big at National Television Awards 2026 with additional win for show legend

Cain Dingle star Jeff Hordley won for his role in the soap.

Billy Fletcher and Joe Tate stood either side of Dawn Fletcher, who is cradling her baby bump, in front of the Home Farm stables in key art for Emmerdale

ITV/Radio Times

Published: Tuesday, 8 September 2026 at 10:31 pm

Subscribe to Radio Times: 10 weeks for £10, including the Christmas double issue

After winning in 2020, 2022 and 2024, Emmerdale has continued its streak of winning the National Television Award for Serial Drama every two years by picking up the award at tonight's ceremony.

Ad

The ITV soap beat out rival nominees including Casualty, Coronation Street and Hollyoaks, as well as last year's winner, EastEnders.

Upon accepting the award, Sarah Sugden star Katie Hill said: "Thank you so, so much to everyone who voted and thank you to all our viewers who continue to support the show - we wouldn't have one if it weren't for you guys."

She also thanked the cast and crew on the programme, saying the award was for all of them and the team were proud to take it back to Yorkshire.

It was a big night for Emmerdale, as Cain Dingle star Jeff Hordley also won in the serial drama performance.

Cain Dingle has an angry expression on his face, stood in the Butler's Farm kitchen in a scene from Emmerdale

Jeff Hordley as Cain Dingle in Emmerdale. ITV

This is far from the first time Hordley has been nominated for a National Television Award, but it is the first time he has won, beating out fellow contenders including EastEnders star Aaron Thiara for his role as Ravi Gulati and Gareth Pierce for his role as Todd Grimshaw in Coronation Street.

Also nominated were Paul Bradley for playing Nigel Bates in EastEnders and Sue Devaney for playing Debbie Webster in Coronation Street.

As he accepted his award, Hordley said he was grateful to get to play his recent prostate cancer storyline, and how it had helped to highlight issues surrounding the illness.

Want to see this content?

This page contains content provided by Google reCAPTCHA. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Google reCAPTCHA may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow Google reCAPTCHA and its required purposes.

Accept and continue

Hordley has been playing Cain Dingle on Emmerdale since 2000, although he took a brief break from the soap between 2006 and 2009.

Next week on the soap, Patsy Kensit's Sadie is set to reunite with Cain for the first time in 20 years, and drop a huge bombshell on him - although what this is, we are yet to find out.

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and from 7am on ITVX.

Add Emmerdale to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.

Ad

Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of James Hibbs, smiling against a lime green background.

James HibbsDrama Writer

James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

Ad

Ad

Get the Christmas double issue

Too much to watch at Christmas? Let Radio Times do the choosing to find something the whole family will enjoy.

Subscribe by 3 Dec

Loading...

Ad

Loading...