EastEnders cleans up at Soap Awards

EastEnders took home a total of seven prizes at this year's British Soap Awards.

22:13 08 May 2004

EastEnders has won the battle of the soaps after winning seven gongs at this year's British Soap Awards.

The BBC soap opera won the coveted Best Soap title, along with best actor for Shane Richie as Queen Vic landlord Alfie Moon and sexiest female for Jessie Wallace, who plays his on-screen wife Kat.

Nigel Harman (Dennis Rickman) scooped the sexiest male and best newcomer awards and his co-star Natalie Cassidy, who plays Sonia Jackson, won best dramatic performance by a young actor or actress. Charlie Brooks, as murdering widow Janine Evans, won villain of the year.

ITV's Coronation Street won a total of five awards, including best actress for Suranne Jones, who plays mouthy Karen McDonald.

Corrie also scooped the best storyline award for Tracy Barlow's attempts to sell her baby to the Croppers and her dramatic declaration during Steve and Karen McDonald's wedding.

Kate Ford who plays scheming Tracy was also named soap bitch of the year and best on-screen partnership was given to Hayley and Roy Cropper, played by Julie Hesmondhalgh and David Neilson.

ITV's Emmerdale won three gongs including best dramatic performance for Mark Charnock, Marlon Dingle, and spectacular scene of the year for the New Year storm.

Hollyoaks and BBC daytime soap Doctors won one award each.

The British Soap Awards, hosted by Paul O'Grady, took place at BBC Television Centre in west London and will be screened on ITV this Wednesday.