Coronation Street takes TV crown

The ITV1 soap took a total of five prizes, tying with BBC One rival EastEnders, in the awards voted for by readers of Inside Soap magazine.

Coronation Street's Antony Cotton, who plays barman Sean Tully, won the best actor prize.

Lacey Turner said winning the best actress gong for her role as Stacey Slater in EastEnders was "wonderful".

She added: "It makes me want to go to work every day."

Turner also won the award for best couple, along with on-screen fiance Charlie Clements (Bradley Branning). She told Radio 1's Newsbeat they were "a bit shocked" at the win.

"[Stacey and Bradley] broke up at Christmas, and then they got back together a few months ago, so for the majority of the year they haven't actually been a couple," she said.

Sexiest male

Cotton, who recently hosted his own teatime chat show on ITV1, said: "I've won the big one this year, and I'm very, very pleased that they chose me. I don't act because of it but it's nice that someone thinks I'm doing well."

He added that the Coronation Street cast were "thrilled" at the best soap win.

The soap's other awards went to Rob James-Collier (Liam Connor) for sexiest male and best newcomer, while Jack P Shepherd (David Platt) won the best bad boy award.

EastEnders' winners included Kara Tointon (Dawn Swann), who took the best-dressed soap star gong.

The best bitch award went to Sophie Thompson, who played Phil Mitchell's crazed lover Stella Crawford. Stella's torment of Phil's son also took the best storyline award.

Emmerdale celebrated two awards, including best young actor for Eden Taylor-Draper (Belle Dingle), while the soap's Charlie Hardwick was awarded this year's funniest performance as Val Lambert.

Hollyoaks actress Roxanne McKee, who plays Louise Summers, was named sexiest actress, and The Bill was awarded best drama for the second year running.

Inside Soap magazine editor Steven Murphy said: "This was one of the most hotly contested years for the Inside Soap Awards, and it's wonderful to see so many new names on the winners' list.

"The race for best soap was neck and neck until voting closed, which just proves what an outstanding year it's been in soapland."

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