Emmerdale wins Best British Soap for the first time in 18 years

Emmerdale has won the best soap for the first time in the 18-year history of the British Soap Awards.

The public voted the ITV show ahead of last year's winner EastEnders, as well as Coronation Street, Doctors and Hollyoaks.

There was further victory for the show as Danny Miller, who plays Aaron Livesy, won both best actor and best male dramatic performance.

Speaking at the ceremony at the Hackney Empire on Saturday, Miller said: "Soap actors and soap actresses, we're the hardest working bunch of actors in the business as far as I'm concerned, we come in at seven, we go home at seven and we do 60 pages a day".

Gemma Atkinson attends the British Soap Awards 2016 Credit: Matt Crossick/PA

Eastenders actress Lacey Turner, who plays Stacey Branning, was recognised for her performances as she scooped the awards for best actress and best female dramatic performance.

Her cast mate Danny Dyer left empty-handed however, despite being nominated in three categories. Before the show he said: "If I don't win I'll be gutted. I'll be absolutely gutted, I ain't going to lie to ya. Everyone will say they'll be fine with it, but I will be really upset and I will sob me heart out."

The Emmerdale cast and crew were presented with their award by Dame Joan Collins, who starred in 1980's US soap opera Dynasty.

Nikki Sanderson attends the British Soap Awards 2016 Credit: Matt Crossick/PA

The list of winners were:

  • Best British Soap

Emmerdale

  • Best Actor

Emmerdale's Danny Miller (Aaron Livesy)

  • Best Actress

EastEnders' Lacey Turner (Stacey Branning)

  • Villain of the Year

Coronation Street's Connor McIntyre (Pat Phelan)

  • Best Comedy Performance

Coronation Street's Patti Clare (Mary Taylor)

  • Best Newcomer

EastEnders' Bonnie Langford (Carmel Kazemi)

  • Best Storyline

EastEnders, Stacey's postpartum psychosis

  • Best Single Episode

Doctors, The Heart of England

  • Best Male Dramatic Performance

Emmerdale's Danny Miller (Aaron Livesy)

  • Best Female Dramatic Performance

EastEnders' Lacey Turner (Stacey Branning)

  • Best On-Screen Partnership

Coronation Street's Sally Dynevor and Joe Duttine (Sally Webster and Tim Metcalfe)

  • Best Young Performance

Hollyoaks' Ruby O'Donnell (Peri Lomax)

  • Scene of the Year

Val's death, Emmerdale

  • The Tony Warren Award

James Bain, Coronation Street/Emmerdale casting director

  • Outstanding Achievement Award

Steve McFadden, EastEnders