Michael Parr: Reflecting on Past Glory and Aiming for a New Kind of Win at the Inside Soap Awards
Emmerdale star Michael Parr is once again in the spotlight, nominated for a prestigious Inside Soap Award, and he’s reflecting on a truly record-breaking night from his past while eyeing a new kind of victory.
A Look Back at a Legendary Night: Four Trophies in One Go!
Michael Parr holds a remarkable joint record in the history of the Inside Soap Awards. “One night I walked away with four awards – or maybe that should be three and a half, because one of them was shared between me and Charley Webb [Debbie],” he recalls, detailing his unforgettable wins in 2015. That same year, Emmerdale itself secured the highly coveted Best Soap Award, cementing a truly dominant performance. His haul included Best Actor, Best Bad Boy, Sexiest Male, and Best Affair (shared with Charley Webb). He shares the “most awards in one night” accolade with EastEnders legend Shane Richie (Alfie Moon), a fact Mike humbly considers an honor. However, he admits, “Hopefully I can try to go for more awards this year so I can say I’m the one who holds the title…”
From Drama King to Comedy Gold: A New Ambition
This year, the Inside Soap Awards brings a new challenge and a personal ambition for Michael Parr. We can exclusively reveal that he’s nominated for Best Comic Performance! This nomination holds a special significance for Mike. “I love it when I bump into people and they say, ‘You’re funny’, or, ‘You make us laugh’. That actually now means more to me than winning Best Actor – because that usually means you’ve done a lot of heightened crying!” he explains. As he gets older, Parr expresses a deeper desire “to put a smile on people’s faces and make them forget their worries and troubles for a little bit.” This heartfelt motivation makes him particularly keen to win an award for comedy.
A Team Effort: Sharing the Glory
Despite his individual accolades, Michael Parr remains grounded, emphasizing that his awards are a testament to a collective effort. All his trophies reside in the main display cabinet at Emmerdale’s offices, alongside the other awards the soap has won. “The thing is it’s not just an award for Mike, it’s for the writers, the producers, everyone working at Emmerdale. I’m just the face!” he states, highlighting his appreciation for the entire team.
The Magic of the Inside Soap Awards Night
For Mike, beyond the glitz and glamour of the awards themselves, his favorite memories revolve around the post-ceremony celebrations. “My favourite bit is always the after party – once the awards are out of the way, we’ll get on the piano and there’s singing and dancing. My musical theatre side comes out and I break into song, so that’s always a lovely time!” he shares. He also cherishes the opportunity to publicly thank those who’ve supported him throughout his career.
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