British Soap Awards 2011 - Corrie wins big; EastEnders retains top prize

By Jason Wright (Entertainment Expert)

CONTINUED: EastEnders won the coveted prize again

EASTENDERS won the main award again last week at the British Soap Awards.  Once again, it set an example as to why it is considered as the best soap on television in recent times as it swept to a fourth success in a row for Best British Soap.

     For the first time in history, the awards moved away from its usual home of the BBC Television Centre but instead of relocating down the road to The O2 Arena like many other awards shows now, it chose the ITV Granada Studios in Manchester.  With 17 awards to fight for, and most critics this was the best year gone by for British Soap, everything than just pride was all to play for.

     The relocation to Manchester seemed to pay dividends for Coronation Street.  Despite missing out on the main gong, the local soap took away nine awards from the evening.  Michelle Keegan retained her crown for ‘Sexiest Female’ for the third year in the row whilst the Tram Crash for the 50th Anniversary at Christmas deservedly won ‘Spectacular Scene’ as did for ‘Best Single Episode’ for its live episode and ‘Best Storyline’ for Kevin Webster’s affair with Molly Dobbs, which climaxed around the time of the crash.

     The soap’s other successes came from Jane Danson winning ‘Best Dramatic Performance’, Alexander Bain becoming the inaugural winner of the ‘Best Young Performance’ award, Patti Clare earning ‘Best Comedy Performance’ whilst the biggest plaudits went the legendary Bill Tarmey for getting the ‘Best Exit’ gong and then the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ for his 30 years of work on the show as the legendary Jack Duckworth.

     There was to be only four awards on the night for EastEnders.  There was another ‘Sexiest Male’ gong for Scott Maslen and the ‘Best Actress’ award for the recently-returned Jessie Wallace who also took the ‘Best On-Screen Partnership’ award with Shane Richie.  By claiming ‘Best British Soap,’ it shows the influence that former Hollyoaks boss Bryan Kirkwood has had, since his arrival last year.

     The remaining soaps were left with few scraps again though Emmerdale broke the recent tradition of Corrie and EastEnders dominating the viewer-voted awards as Danny Miller rightfully won ‘Best Actor.’  The rural soap’s only other success came in the form of a posthumous honour for the late Gavin Blyth with the ‘Special Achievement’ award.  The 51 year-old, who has helped turn around the soap’s fortunes, tragically died back in November after a short battle with illness.

     Hollyoaks also earned two awards, both going to popular newbie Emmet J. Scanlan with awards for ‘Best Newcomer’ and a viewer award for ‘Villain of The Year.’  After only being nominated in two categories, daytime soap Doctors unsurprisingly went home empty-handed, ending its surprise success in recent editions of the ceremony.

     In truth, the year that soap has produced has been breathtaking. Corrie won the battle but it was truly EastEnders who won the war.