EastEnders' girls dazzle at the Soap Oscars

May 4 2008 By Kevin Turner

Eastender Beauties Dazzle Fans As Show Scoops The Night's Top Drama Award

EASTENDERS girls stole last night's show with their amazing outfits - as the Queen Vic crew scooped the top award at the soap Oscars.

And Coronation Street favourite Liz Dawn, who played Vera Duckworth for 33 years, was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

No soap dominated the awards with top gongs also going to Hollyoaks and Emmerdale.

As well as the Soap of the Year title, presented by former Dallas star Linda Gray, EastEnders picked up three others, including Best Storyline.

Jamie Borthwick, who plays Jay, dedicated his Young Actor award to his late gran.

He said: "I've done this for my nan Sylvia. I know she's watching over me."

Corrie won five awards - capped by Liz Dawn's gong, which was presented by former co-star Kevin Kennedy, who played Curly Watts.

She said: "I wish I was young again, I'd do it all over again. It's only when you leave you realise what a lovely life you've had."

She paid tribute to her co-star Bill Tarmey, who plays Vera's husband Jack, adding: "I won the Lottery when I got Bill."

Picking up his Sexiest Male award, Rob-James Collier (Liam), joked: "Thanks for this, it really reflects my acting ability."

Hollyoaks had a good night with Chris Fountain (Justin) and Emma Rigby (Hannah) taking the top honours. Roxanne McKee (Louise) was Sexiest Female and it also won Spectacular Scene and Best Exit.

Emmerdale took just one major honour - for Best Single Episode.

Phillip Schofield, whose dad Brian, 72, died last week and This Morning co-star Fern Britton hosted the show.

He said: "It has been the longest, saddest week of our lives but he would have wanted me to carry on."

Roll of honour

Best Soap: EastEnders

Best Actor: Chris Fountain (Justin Burton), Hollyoaks

Best Actress: Emma Rigby (Hannah Ashworth), Hollyoaks

Sexiest Male: Rob-James Collier (Liam Connor), Coronation Street

Sexiest Female: Roxanne McKee (Louise Summers), Hollyoaks

Best Comedy Performance: Maggie Jones (Blanche Hunt), Coronation Street

Best Dramatic Performance: Jo Joyner (Tanya Branning), EastEnders

Spectacular Scene of the Year: Hollyoaks, Claire drives her car off a cliff

Best Dramatic Performance From A Young Actor: Jamie Borthwick (Jay Brown), EastEnders

Villian of the Year: Jack P Shepherd (David Platt), Coronation Street

Best Single Episode: Emmerdale, Daniel's Death

Best Exit: Gemma Bissix (Clare Cunningham), Hollyoaks

Best Newcomer: Michelle Keegan (Tina McIntyre), Coronation Street

Best On-Screen Partnership: Matt Littler and Darren Jon Jeffries (Max and OB), Hollyoaks

Best Storyline: EastEnders, Max and Stacey's affair

Lifetime Achievement: Liz Dawn (Vera Duckworth), Coronation Street

Special Achievement: Tim Fee, Emmerdale line producer

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