The British Soap Awards are always one of the glitziest red carpet nights of the year and in 2003 they were graced by a Droitwich actress. 

Ela Kay, who was 21 at the time, was nominated for the Best Newcomer and Best Heroine awards for her performances in the BBC daytime drama Doctors, in which she played receptionist Carolina Shaw.

Proud mum Annette Westray, who owned True or False beauty salon in the High Street, joined Ela in London – facing the glare of the paparazzi and rubbing shoulders with EastEnders and Coronation Street stars.

Droitwich-born Ela, whose real surname is Kleszczynski, first trod the boards at the town’s Norbury Theatre, aged 12. After graduating with first class honours at Guildford School of Acting she was spotted by an agent and scooped the prized Doctors role.

Annette told the Worcester News: “The cameras went mad for Ela and inside were many famous faces. I met EastEnders including Phil Mitchell, the new Dirty Den, Alfie Moon and Natalie Evans.”

Ela, who also appeared in BBC drama Holby City, left Doctors the following month.

You can see Ela (pictured left) on her big night here