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Monday, September 6, 1999 Published at 22:43 GMT 23:43 UK

Entertainment

Square win for Eastenders

Peggy and Frank's wedding was among this year's hit storylines

EastEnders has won four prizes, including Best Soap Opera, at a TV awards ceremony dominated by BBC programmes.

The BBC One soap opera trounced ITV rival Coronation Street, which won just one title - Best Actress for Julie Hesmondhalgh, who plays transsexual Hayley - at the third annual TV Quick Awards.

[ image: Charlie Dimmock: Hottest New Talent]
Charlie Dimmock: Hottest New Talent
The EastEnders haul included Best Newcomer for Jack Ryder (Jamie Mitchell), Best Soap Actor for Joe Absolom (Matthew Rose), and Best Soap Storyline for the death of Saskia Duncan (Deborah Sheridan).

Of the 18 titles handed out at the London ceremony, hosted by comedian Jack Dee and attended by various celebrities, the BBC and its stars took 12.

Glamorous appearance

Hit gardening show Ground Force - which was so popular it transferred from BBC Two to BBC One and is now one of the most watched programmes on TV - was named Best Lifestyle Show.

[ image: Melinda Messenger attended with Channel 5 colleague Keith Chegwin]
Melinda Messenger attended with Channel 5 colleague Keith Chegwin
And there was a double cause for celebration when presenter Charlie Dimmock was named Hottest New Talent.

Ms Dimmock put in a glamorous appearance at the ceremony, arriving in a scarlet short sleeved evening dress with a plunging neckline designed by Caroline Charles.

Other guests to attend included a party of stars from EastEnders, including Pam St Clement, Sid Owen, Tamzin Outhwaite and Martin Kemp.

Melinda Messenger and Keith Chegwin, both Channel 5 presenters, were also at the event, along with former Auf Wiedersehn Pet colleagues Tim Healy and Jimmy Nail.

Prize for old favourite Casualty

Among other award winners were Inspector Morse star John Thaw, named Best Actor, while Amanda Burton - best known for BBC One's Silent Witness - was named Best Actress, the second time she has won since the awards were launched in 1997.

[ image: John Thaw: Best Actor]
John Thaw: Best Actor
Thaw's roles during the year have included his performance in ITV's Goodnight Mister Tom which took the title for Best New Drama.

BBC One also scored with medical drama Casualty, which won an award for the third year running.

In the previous two years it has been named Best Medical Drama, a title which no longer exists, but is this year's Best Loved Drama.

Ainsley Harriott, a columnist for TV Quick magazine and star of Ready Steady Cook and Can't Cook, Won't Cook, was named Best TV Cook for the third year running.