EastEnders Stars Clean Up At Soap Awards

EastEnders has been crowned Britain's best soap after picking up seven awards.

The BBC1 show's haul at the Inside Soap awards included the top prize of Best Soap, while Gillian Wright, who plays Jean Slater, was named Best Actress.

Earlier this year, programme bosses were forced to defend a storyline in which Jean, who has bipolar disorder, was being treated cruelly, following complaints from viewers.

Actress Hetti Bywater won Best Newcomer for her portrayal of Albert Square's Lucy Beale, while comic actors Tameka Empson and Ricky Norwood, who play Kim Fox and Arthur 'Fat Boy' Chubb, were voted Funniest Female and Funniest Male.

The Best Bitch crown was awarded to Charlie Brooks, who plays scheming Janine Butcher and is taking a six-month break from EastEnders.

David Witts, who joined the show this year as Derek Branning's estranged son Joey, was named Sexiest Male.

Meanwhile, Hollyoaks star Emmett Scanlan was celebrating a double success at the ceremony.

The Irish star won Best Actor and Best Bad Boy for his performance as villain Brendan Brady.

Coronation Street favourite Michelle Keegan was named Sexiest Female for the fourth year in a row. She was also named Best-Dressed Soap Star at the event in London.

Fellow Coronation Street star Alex Bain, who plays Simon Barlow, was named Best Young Actor.

Australian soap Neighbours received two awards, Best Daytime Soap and Best Daytime Star for Ryan Moloney, who plays show stalwart Toadie Rebecci.

BBC1 show Waterloo Road picked up its third award for Best Drama.

Inside Soap editor Steven Murphy said: "It's been an exciting year in the world of soap.

"We can't wait to see what the next 12 months have in store for our great British soaps."