[Amy]

EastEnders' Jessie Wallace and Corrie's Suranne Jones are to battle it out at the British Soap Awards.

The actresses who play Kat Slater and Karen McDonald are up for best actress and sexiest female.

Kate Ford, who plays Street superbitch Tracy Barlow, is also in the running for both awards, along with her nomination for villain and soap bitch of the year.

Coronation Street and EastEnders go head to head for all the main awards including the coveted title of best soap.

EastEnders' Shane Richie is nominated for best actor and sexiest male for his role as Queen Vic landlord Alfie Moon.

But he faces tough competition for the sexiest male award from co-star Nigel Harman, who plays Dennis Rickman.

Hosted by Paul O'Grady, the awards are being held at BBC Television Centre in west London. They will be broadcast on ITV1 next week.

Best soap will go to either EastEnders, Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Doctors, Family Affairs or Hollyoaks.

Corrie is being tipped to retain the big prize it captured last time after a year of storming storylines including Peter Barlow's bigamous wedding, Tracy's baby battle with the Croppers and her bombshell announcement at Steve and Karen's wedding.

The ITV show triumphed at the TV Baftas last month - while EastEnders was not even nominated in the best continuing drama category.

Article Ananova

I'd quite like to see Charlie Brooks who plays Janine win the villain and soap bitch of the year award!