Many tears were shed tonight as Emmerdale’s James Moore won Best Newcomer at the National Television Awards.
The actor, who plays Charity’s son Ryan in the ITV soap, delivered an emotional speech after arriving onstage via a piggy back from a friend.
James, who has cerebral palsy, told the audience that his victory was important in this day and age, and warmed hearts as he spoke of how his life has changed in the past year.
The soap star has won legions of fans since joining the show, who have warmed to his no-nonsense attitude and huge heart.
Astonishingly, some ignorant NTA viewers – who have doubtless not even watched James in Emmerdale – dismissed his win as a sympathy vote.
One wrote: “James Moore = Sympathy Vote #NTAs”
Another posted: “#NTAs no offence but thats a bit of a sympathy vote the guy on eastenders should have definitly won it lol.”
But his supporters were quick to fire back…
I just seen a few come up on #NTAs latest tweets saying how he only won because he’s disabled, it was a sympathy vote and calling him a shite actor.. hateful trolls 😔
— Zoee loves the soaps 😍 (@Zoeebabii369x) 22 January 2019
the comments that James Moore only won on “sympathy vote” are disgusting, how dare you try to invalidate a disabled persons success, it is so important for disabled actors to be on screen and so disabled people have representation they can see themselves in #NTAs
— Jemma Simmons 👩🔬 (@doctorjemmasims) 22 January 2019
Those who will inevitably be moaning that James Moore’s victory was down to a sympathy vote can bugger off tbf. #NTAs
— Lynsey Spence (@Sidekick28) 22 January 2019
the comments that James Moore only won on “sympathy vote” are disgusting, how dare you try to invalidate a disabled persons success, it is so important for disabled actors to be on screen and so disabled people have representation they can see themselves in #NTAs
— Jemma Simmons 👩🔬 (@doctorjemmasims) 22 January 2019
And many more viewers were, rightfully, full of praise…
James Moore winning an NTA was the most well deserved ever!!! #NTAs
— Charl 🌼 (@_charllittle) 22 January 2019
Suddenly got a bit dusty in here.
James Moore you are just so inspirational. #NTAs— Listen very Clairefully… (@Glavlar) 22 January 2019
As someone living with a disability similar to James Moore’s I find him to be such an inspiration. He got my vote because he’s such a skilled actor. His disability is just something that he lives with, but he has shown people that it doesn’t have to rule your life #NTAs
— Kate (@Apelsinklyfta95) 22 January 2019
#NTAs I’m crying what a wonderful speech congrats #jamesmoore
— Andi Too (@AndiToo1) 22 January 2019
Okay so James Moore just made me cry 😩 Well done to you!!! @emmerdale #ntas #NationalTelevisionAwards #Emmerdale
— Beth Hills (@BethanyGHills) 22 January 2019
James fought off stiff competition for his award; he was up against Aedan Duckworth from Hollyoaks, Alexandra Mardell from Coronation Street, Neet Mohan from Casualty and Ricky Champ from EastEnders.
Well done, James, we generally remain impartial but want to say you’re a brilliant human being and deserve all your success… based on thespy merit!
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