[Arneldo]

EastEnders was the big winner at the eleventh annual British Soap Awards, taking home seven prizes on the night.

The Walford-based show scooped the best soap accolade for a second consecutive year, while its veteran actress Barbara Windsor (Peggy Mitchell) was presented with the lifetime achievement award.

Other victories for the BBC One programme saw former star Robert Kazinsky (Sean Slater) named best actor, Scott Maslen (Jack Branning) voted sexiest male, and Maisie Smith (Tiffany Dean) winning the prize for best dramatic performance for a young actor or actress.

Finally, Nina Wadia (Zainab Masood) went home with two awards. As well as triumphing in the best comedy performance category, her scenes with Nitin Ganatra (Masood Ahmed) helped to secure the best on-screen partnership prize.

Meanwhile, Coronation Street received six prizes on the night, including best actress for Katherine Kelly (Becky Granger), sexiest female for Michelle Keegan (Tina McIntyre) and best exit for Rob James-Collier (Liam Connor).

Completing the ITV1 soap's haul, Gray O'Brien (Tony Gordon) was voted as villain of the year, Craig Gazey (Graeme Proctor) was named best newcomer and writer Peter Whalley went home with the special achievement award.

The BBC's daytime soap Doctors won three prizes at the ceremony - Anita Carey (Vivien March) triumphed in the best dramatic performance category, 'A Kind Of Hush' was declared best single episode, and Vivien's rape plot was named best single storyline.

Emmerdale picked up one award, proving victorious in the spectacular scene category for Victoria Sugden's (Isabel Hodgkins) ice accident.

Despite picking up the highest number of nominations on the shortlist, Channel 4's Hollyoaks went home empty-handed.

DS

The winners;

Sexiest Male - Scott Maslen (Jack Branning; EE)
Sexiest Female - Michelle Keegan (Tina McIntyre; Corrie)
Villain of the Year - Gray O’Brien (Tony Gordon; Corrie)
Best Actor - Robert Kazinsky (Sean Slater; EE)
Best Actress - Katherine Kelly (Becky Granger; Corrie)

Best Comedy Performance
Coronation Street: Simon Gregson (Steve McDonald)
EastEnders: Nina Wadia (Zainab Masood)
Emmerdale: Dominic Brunt (Paddy Kirk)
Hollyoaks: Hollie-Jay Bowes (Michaela McQueen)

Best Dramatic Performance
Doctors: Anita Carey (Vivien March)
EastEnders: Patsy Palmer (Bianca Jackson)
Emmerdale: Jenna-Louise Coleman (Jasmine Thomas)
Hollyoaks Carley Stenson (Steph Cunningham)

Best Dramatic Performance for a Young Actor or Actress
Coronation Street: Alexander Bain (Simon Barlow)
EastEnders: Maisie Smith (Tiffany Dean)
Emmerdale: Isabel Hodgins (Victoria Sugden)
Hollyoaks: Ellis Hollins (Tom Cunningham)

Best Exit
Coronation Street: Rob James-Collier (Liam Connor)
Doctors: Michael McKell (Dr Nick West)
Emmerdale: Matt Healy (Matthew King)
Hollyoaks: Matt Littler (Max Cunningham)

Best Newcomer
Coronation Street: Craig Gazey (Graeme Proctor)
Doctors: Selina Chilton (Ruth Pearce)
EastEnders: Shona McGarty (Whitney Dean)
Hollyoaks: Jorgie Porter (Theresa McQueen)

Best On-Screen Partnership
Coronation Street: Simon Gregson and Katherine Kelly (Steve McDonald & Becky Granger)
EastEnders: Nitin Ganatra and Nina Wadia (Masood Ahmed and Zainab Masood)
Emmerdale: Mark Charnock and Dominic Brunt (Marlon Dingle and Paddy Kirk)
Hollyoaks: Nico Mirallegro and Marc Silcock (Barry 'Newt' Newton and Eli)

Best Storyline
Coronation Street: Tony's Revenge
Doctors: Vivien's Rape
EastEnders: Bianca Discovers Tony's A Paedophile
Hollyoaks: Niall's Revenge

Spectacular Scene
Doctors: The Homecoming
EastEnders: The Millers' Explosion
Emmerdale: Victoria Falls Through The Ice
Hollyoaks: Church Explosion

Best Single Episode
Coronation Street: Steve and Becky's Failed Wedding
Doctors: 'A Kind of Hush'
EastEnders: Bianca Discovers The Truth About Tony
Hollyoaks: Max and Steph's Wedding

Lifetime Achievement Award
Barbara Windsor (Peggy Mitchell, EastEnders)

Special Achievement Award
Peter Whalley (Writer, Coronation Street)

Best Soap
EastEnders