EastEnders triumph at soap awards

Who shot Phil? was a ratings winner

EastEnders has been voted Best British Soap by the readers of a national television magazine.

The BBC One show beat rivals Coronation Street, Brookside and Emmerdale for the title at the Inside Soap Awards.

The best overseas soap award was picked up by Australian daily programme Neighbours.

Coronation Street took four awards at the ceremony, including funniest character for Norris Cole (played by Malcolm Hebden) and best young actor for Jack P Shepherd, who plays David Platt.

Tracy Shaw picked up sexiest female award

The Who Shot Phil Mitchell? storyline in EastEnders was crowned the most dramatic of the year.

Some 20 million people watched the episode in which Phil's would-be assassin was revealed to be ex-girlfriend Lisa Shaw.

Martin Kemp won the best actor award for his brooding portrayal of businessman Steve Owen.

Bad boy

June Brown, who plays Dot Cotton in the soap, was voted best actress.

And the square's Jessie Wallace, who plays Kat Slater, was given the best newcomer award.

Viewers also picked Corrie's Tracy Shaw and EastEnders' Michael Greco as the sexiest actress and actor.

Best bad boy went to Emmerdale's Cain Dingle, played by Jeff Hordley, and best bitch was awarded to EastEnders' Janine Butcher, played by Charlie Brooks.

Channel 4 show Brookside picked up a single award for the best exit for the death of Susannah Morrissey.

A lifetime achievement award was handed to Barbara Windsor, who plays the former landlady of the Queen Vic pub in EastEnders.

The magazine's readers chose the winners in all categories.