In quotes: Inside Soap Awards

Soap stars were out in force to pick up their Inside Soap accolades on Monday, with EastEnders scooping a whopping nine awards, including best soap. Hollyoaks' only award of the night was for best young actor while Coronation Street won best bad boy and best bitch. Newsbeat was on the red carpet to see what the actors thought.

Robert Kazinsky, who plays fiery Sean Slater in EastEnders, took home the prize for best male actor.

"When the weather's turning bad, to get good news like this just buoys everyone up to get through Christmas. Next week I've got to sit down and eat Christmas lunch at 10 o'clock in the morning, about five times. So that's not going to be great to do.

"Obviously I'm going to be exceptionally fat. It'll just give us all a nice gee up and to carry on and some good work and entertain the fans."

Lacey Turner, who plays Sean's sister Stacey in the soap, bagged best actress as well as the award for best couple, along with on-screen husband Bradley Branning, played by Charlie Clements.

"They're such an unlikely couple. I mean I love them. I like them together because you'd never put them together. It's interesting because you never know what's going to happen."

Kara Tointon played unlucky-in-love Dawn Swann in Walford Square. She arrived at the ceremony decked out in gold to match the venue and wearing a wig.

"I've got about seven wigs and I hate my own hair so I thought 'Why not?' I've got a blonde cropped wig that I haven't had the guts to wear yet and I've got a blonde one I wore for my birthday.

"I'm just going for it with the wigs, it's much easier than doing your own hair - it's so quick! I've been wearing them out a lot and no-one shouts 'Dawn!'"

Carly Stenson plays Steph Dean in Hollyoaks. She was looking forward to the more laid back atmosphere at the Inside Soap Awards - compared to the more stufy ceremonies.

"Last year it got a little bit crazy, there was lots of dancing and shoes off so you can relax a bit more. I might be doing that this year - depends if they put a bit of Beyonce on.

"This is definitely known as the less formal one and the one where you can really let your hair down. I think that's why everyone's come in with a bit of zest for a party night."

As well as playing Sam Strachan in Holby City, Tom Chambers is also trying his hand at ballroom dancing in this year's series of Strictly Come Dancing. The actor seemed to be suffering slightly from the experience.

"I'm dead on my feet! We're doing the jive and I can't to grips with this whole leg kicking thing - I feel like a horse and also I'm getting real deep-heat leg burning going down both sides so I'm waiting for cramp to set in at any moment.

"The last time I did real dancing was in the bottom class at drama school in 1997 when I had my one ballet lesson and my one jazz class on a Thursday morning so it was a long time ago."