Shane Richie cleans up at soap awards

EastEnders pub boss Shane Richie was the toast of the soap world tonight after landing four prizes at a TV awards show.

And the actor – who plays Queen Vic landlord Alfie Moon – helped his show clean up at the Inside Soap Awards.

Richie, whose haul included sexiest male and best newcomer, said: “I can’t believe I’ve won four awards – it’s amazing.”

EastEnders picked up eight prizes, including an outstanding achievement prize for one of its longest standing actresses June Brown (Dot).

The show – which tonight sees the return of Den Watts (played by Leslie Grantham) after an absence of 14 years – picked up the best soap title for the third year running.

Richie was a TV presenter and musical star before landing his EastEnders role, although he has long been associated with soap after fronting the Daz doorstep challenge ads for many years.

His other prizes tonight were for funniest character and best soap family with the Moons.

“I’m pleased that the readers of Inside Soap have taken Alfie and the whole Moon family to their hearts.

“Working for EastEnders is just getting better and better and Leslie coming back has created a real buzz to the show – it feels like playing for England just before they win the World Cup. There’s some really great things to come with the character so keep on watching.”

Richie’s on-off screen partner Jessie Wallace (who plays Kat Slater) was named sexiest female.

And she said her win proved girls could be sexy even with fuller figures.

“It’s very flatting to win sexiest female for the second year running.

“It goes to show, you don’t need to be a stick insect to be considered sexy, which I think is a really positive message to send out to young girls.”

Coronation Street landed five prizes including best storyline for its serial killer plot revolving around Richard “Tricky Dicky” Hillman.

The show’s Suranne Jones (who plays Karen McDonald) was a double winner, picking up best dressed star and best couple alongside Simon Gregson (Steve McDonald).

The best actor title went to Steve McFadden who plays EastEnders hardman Phil Mitchell.

And the top actress was Leah Bracknell (Zoe Tate), one of two prizes for Emmerdale.

The Inside Soap Awards were being held tonight at the La Rascasse venue in London’s West End.

The show is being televised by LivingTV on October 1.

Editor of Inside Soap magazine Steven Murphy said: “This year the contest was tougher than ever, proving that British soaps are going from strength to strength with each passing year.

Full list of winners:

:: Best soap – EastEnders.

:: Best actor – Steve McFadden (Phil Mitchell, EastEnders).

:: Best actress – Leah Bracknell (Zoe Tate, Emmerdale).

:: Best young actor – Charley Webb (Debbie Jones, Emmerdale).

:: Best bad guy – Richard Hillman (Brian Capron, Coronation Street).

:: Best bitch – Tracy Preston (Kate Ford, Coronation Street).

:: Best couple – Karen and Steve McDonald (Suranne Jones and Simon Gregson, Coronation Street).

:: Best family – The Moons (EastEnders).

:: Funniest character – Alfie Moon (Shane Richie, EastEnders).

:: Best newcomer – Shane Richie (Alfie Moon, EastEnders).

:: Sexiest female – Jessie Wallace (Kat Slater, EastEnders).

:: Sexiest male – Shane Richie (Alfie Moon, EastEnders).

:: Best storyline – Richard Hillman’s killing spree (Coronation Street.

:: Best dressed soap star – Suranne Jones (Coronation Street).

:: Best drama – Bad Girls.

:: Outstanding achievement award – June Brown (Dot Branning, EastEnders).