Bonnie Langford felt she was representing relatives of knife crime victims at the National Television Awards on Tuesday night (22.01.19).
Bonnie Langford at the National TV Awards
The former 'EastEnders' actress was up for the Serial Drama Performance prize after her emotional performance as Carmel Kazemi, whose son Shakil Kazemi (Shaheen Jafargholi) was knifed to death by a gang, and the 54-year-old star was "very proud" to have been part of the hard-hitting plot.
Several relatives of real-life knife crime victims appeared in a poignant 'EastEnders' episode in July, in which they recalled their own experiences and stood together in a graveyard as Shakil's funeral took place.
Speaking at the National Television Awards at London's The O2 on Tuesday night (22.01.19), she exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "I'm just very proud to have been part of it.
"One of the most important parts was we did a funeral episode where special contributors took part and told their real-life story and I think that was incredibly brave, so I feel like I'm here representing them."
Since departing 'EastEnders', Bonnie joined the cast of '42nd Street' and she was looking forward to meeting up with her former fellow Albert Square residents once again last night.
She said: "I was very honoured to be recognised and am thrilled to be here.
"I'm supporting Danny [Dyer], too, and looking forward to catching up with everyone."
And serial drama fans may well see Bonnie in Soapland again soon after the 'Bugsy Malone' star admitted she would "never say never" about appearing in a similar series again.
She added: "I don't know if I'd do another so, but I would never say never to anything."
Bonnie lost out on the night to Danny, who plays Mick Carter, in the BBC One soap.
The Walford wonders were also up against Coronation Street's Jack P Shepherd (David Platt), and 'Emmerdale' pair Emma Atkins (Charity Dingle) and Lucy Pargeter (Chas Dingle) for the accolade.
Tagged in Shaheen Jafargholi