Long-serving soap star Adam penned a heart-warming tribute on social media alongside a dramatic picture of the pair at the awards bash.

It was the 66-year-old’s first ever NTA, despite being part of the show for 35 years.

Albert Square star Adam penned: “I have no idea who captured this image, @aaronthiara_ found it and made it b/w but it just perfectly captures the moment Steve finally got the award he has deserved for so long.

“To see the whole audience standing to applaud him was magical.”

Zoe Slater star Michelle Ryan agreed: “Brilliant image. Captured a unique moment.”

The glittering awards ceremony earlier in the week saw the Phil Mitchell actor win his first NTA at London’s O2.

Steve won Best Serial Drama performance and beat co-star Jacqueline Jossa, Emmerdale’s Eden Taylor-Draper, and Coronation Street’s Jack P Shepherd and Sue Devaney.

he BBC soap scooped Serial Drama, beating its ITV rivals as well as Hollyoaks and Casualty.

Emmerdale won the gong last year, with EastEnders winning in 2023.

Emotional star Steve said: “To even be nominated for this award, watching that VT and my fantastic colleagues on Emmerdale and Corrie is absolutely fantastic, but to win it is unbelievable. It’s absolutely amazing.

“Thank you so much. For everybody that voted for me, I truly am grateful and very, very happy to receive this award. Thank you to my fantastic cast over there.

“Generous, brilliant, stunning, wonderful cast. They are fantastic. Thank you to the audience for forgiving Phil Mitchell 35 years of stupidity!

“Thank you to the producers, directors, the writers, script editors, everybody at EastEnders, you’ve been amazing to me. The crew, everyone.

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you guys. Thank you, I really am touched and over the moon,” he said.

Onscreen brother Ross Kemp aka Grant Mitchell marked the special award and wrote online: “Just want to say a huge congratulations to Steve McFadden on his NTA last night.

“Totally deserved and very much owed to you. Well done mate.”