Joyner leads pack for UK soap awards

'EastEnders' star Jo Joyner is leading the pack with a string of nominations at this year’s Soap Awards in Britain.

The actress, whose character Tanya Jessop has been at the centre of a dramatic storyline after being diagnosed with cancer, was shortlisted for Best Actress and Best Dramatic Performance.

Her on-off relationship with Max Branning also saw her and co-star Jake Wood nominated for Best On-Screen Partnership as well as Best Storyline

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Joyner faces competition from co-star Nina Wadia, who plays Zainab Khan, for the Best Actress gong along with 'Coronation Street' actress Alison King, who plays Carla Connor, and 'Hollyoaks' star Karen Hassan, who plays Lynsey Nolan.

Other nominations include last year’s winners of the viewer-voted Sexiest Female and Sexiest Male awards, 'Coronation Street’s Michelle Keegan and EastEnders star Scott Maslen, who are in the running to pick up the gongs again this year.

Keegan, who plays Tina McIntyre on the street, is up against 'EastEnders’ Jacqueline Jossa, who plays Lauren Branning, Preeya Kalidas who plays Amira Masood and 'Hollyoaks' star Jorgie Porter, who plays Theresa McQueen in the Channel 4 soap.

Walford’s farewell to cast stalwart Pam St Clement, who played Pat Butcher for 25 years, is nominated for the Best Single Episode.

'Coronation Street', 'Doctors', 'EastEnders', 'Emmerdale' and 'Hollyoaks' will fight it out to be named Best British Soap.

A Lifetime Achievement Award and a Special Achievement Award will be announced on the night.

The awards, held in London later this month, will be presented by Phillip Schofield and be shown on ITV1 in May.