Eastenders wins big at Soap Awards

EastEnders walked off with seven awards at the Inside Soap Awards, including the top prize of Best Soap at the ceremony, while Gillian Wright, who plays Jean Slater, won the Best Actress title.

Earlier in 2012, the show's 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 event.

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

Coronation Street actress Michelle Keegan was named Sexiest Female for the fourth year in a row.

She was also named Best-Dressed Soap Star at the star-studded event, held at the luxurious One Marylebone in London.

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

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

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