LAMPETER TV screenwriter Roanne Bardsley has told how she "went into shock" on learning she was a winner at Saturday’s British Soap Awards. 

The 29-year-old - who regularly writes episodes of Hollyoaks - won the Best Single Episode category for the long-running soap’s episode Three Mothers, Three Daughters which tackled the taboo subject of teenage self-harming.

Roanne told the Cambrian News: "Hollyoaks have never won that award before, so it’s a huge achievement and a result of a massive team effort.

“Another amazing thing about winning the award is that one of my best friends from school, Vicky Sanders, who’s now a brilliant up-and-coming fashion designer, designed and made a gown for one of the actresses who starred in my episode, Haiesha Mistry.”

Reflecting on the episode which won her the award at London’s Hackney Empire Theatre, Roanne said: “It explored the very real and serious problem of teenage self-harm, and hopefully this win will help continue to raise awareness for teen mental health.

“I’m also really proud that the episode was led by women, both on and off screen - directed by the amazing Tracey Rooney and starring an almost entirely female cast.

“The Writers’ Guild recently published a shocking report that revealed, on average, only 14 per cent of television drama in the last 10 years was written by women, and statistics for female directors are similarly low, so I’m thrilled an episode created by women has been recognised in this way.”

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