Emmerdale bags double at TV awards

Emmerdale scooped two of the top awards at the TV Quick and TV Choice awards last night, suggesting that the traditional top dogs, Coronation Street a

15:21 06 September 2005

Emmerdale scooped two of the top awards at the TV Quick and TV Choice awards last night, suggesting that the traditional top dogs, Coronation Street and EastEnders, are finally being threatened by a third soap.

The rural TV show bagged the gong for best soap actress for Emma Atkins, who played feisty blonde Charity Dingle.

Emma also had a hand in the show's other top trophy, the award for best soap storyline, for Charity's ruined wedding and her subsequent revenge on scheming Sadie King, played by Patsy Kensit.

However, the top soap award did in the end go to one of the big two, with Corrie predictably stealing the crown for best soap.

Those down in Walford didn't leave empty-handed though, as Shane Richie came up trumps with the gong for best actor for his role as loveable rogue Alfie Moon, while 17-year-old Lacey Turner, who plays troubled Stacey Slater was named best soap newcomer.

It wasn't all about the suds at the glitzy bash at London's Dorchester Hotel last night however, as recognition was also given to other TV programmes, with US hit import Desperate Housewives being named best new drama.

Christopher Eccleston scooped the gong for best actor for his portrayal of the time-travelling Doctor Who, and Julie Walters was named best actress for playing Marie Stubbs in Ahead of the Class.