Emmerdale wins best soap and Dame Barbara Windsor is honoured at TV Choice Awards

Emmerdale was the big winner at the TV Choice Awards tonight, scooping the Best Soap award.

The ITV soap saw off EastEnders, Coronation Street and Hollyoaks to the title for the first time.

It wasn't Emmerdale's only prize of the night - Danny Miller who plays Aaron Livesy - won Best Soap Actor.

Danny Miller in Emmerdale. Credit: ITV Pictures

TV legend, Dame Barbara Windsor who played Peggy in Eastenders from 1994 until bowing out earlier this year, was honoured for her outstanding contribution to television at the 20th annual TV Choice Awards.

She said she was "absolutely delighted" with her award.

"I have been in the business for over 66 years and I have been fortunate to have been involved in some truly outstanding productions that all mean so much to me, so to know that they also mean a lot to the audience is extremely touching.

"Everyone knows how much love I have for EastEnders and that show has played such a pivotal part in my career, without it I may not be receiving this award. Although Peggy may no longer be with us, she and the show will never leave my heart."

Holly Willoughby arriving for the TV Choice Awards Credit: PA Wire

The ceremony saw the biggest names in television being honoured at a star-studded event held at London's Dorchester hotel.

Other winners on the night, include Downton Abbey, for Best Drama Series, while Best Actor went to Tom Hiddleston for BBC One's The Night Manager.

The full list of winners:

  • Best New Drama - Doctor Foster, BBC One

  • Best Drama Series - Downton Abbey, ITV

  • Best Actor Tom Hiddleston - The Night Manager, BBC One

  • Best Actress - Sarah Lancashire, Happy Valley, BBC One

  • Best Family Drama - Call The Midwife, BBC One

  • Best Reality Show - I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!, ITV

  • Best Talent Show - The Great British Bake Off, BBC One

  • Best Entertainment Show - Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, ITV

  • Best Lifestyle Show - Gogglebox, Channel 4

  • Best Daytime Show - This Morning, ITV

  • Best Food Show - Sunday Brunch, Channel 4

  • Best International Show - Game Of Thrones, Sky Atlantic

  • Best Factual Show - Paul O'Grady: For The Love Of Dogs, ITV

  • Best Comedy - Birds Of A Feather, ITV

  • Best Soap Actor - Danny Miller, Emmerdale, ITV

  • Best Soap Actress - Lacey Turner, EastEnders, BBC One

  • Best Soap Newcomer - Shayne Ward, Coronation Street, ITV

  • Best Soap - Emmerdale, ITV

  • Outstanding Contribution to Television - Dame Barbara Windsor