Hollyoaks hailed for “bold and socially vital” work as it wins major award for fourth year running
Three sensitive storylines drew huge praise.
Hollyoaks has been praised for its “bold, unflinching, and socially vital” work after winning a major award for the fourth year in a row.
The E4 soap has again been awarded the Best Digital Support for a Programme at the Broadcast Digital Awards, with its campaigns around JJ and Frankie Osborne’s sibling sexual abuse (SSA), Leela Lomax’s pregnancy loss, and Cleo McQueen and Abe Fielding coercive control storylines highlighted.
“Hollyoaks consistently elevates difficult subjects through empathetic, platform-appropriate content,” one judge said.
“The SSA campaign was courageous, while the Here Still and Home Office Enough initiatives showed a deep understanding of how to use digital to educate, support, and connect.”
Hollyoaks partnered with SARSAS for the SSA storyline, with content featuring real survivors leading to an increase in individuals coming forward.
Additionally, a Here Still baby loss campaign that saw people share their experiences via TikTok led to a huge increase in views, with Leela actor Kirsty-Leigh Porter sharing her own real-life experience of baby loss, while a Home Office Enough campaign shining a light on abusive behaviours and advice from Women’s Aid gained nearly 3 million views.
One judge praised the “inclusive” campaigns that highlighted “important dialogue”, adding: “They weren’t just one-off efforts.
“Hollyoaks has consistently used digital content to address important issues, maintaining a strong connection with the audience over time.”
