In pictures: British Soap Awards

Emmerdale actor Christopher Chittell and his on-screen wife Charlie Hardwick pose for photographers on the red carpet at the British Soap Awards in London.

Cheryl Fergison and Cliff Parisi arrived at the event together. EastEnders scooped seven awards, including the prize for best soap.

EastEnders star John Altman, who plays "Nasty" Nick Cotton poses with his on-screen daughter Dotty (Molly Conlin). Actress Patsy Palmer also joined her on-screen family on the red carpet.

Barbara Windsor, best known for playing Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders, was presented with the lifetime achievement honour. Her husband escorted her to the ceremony.

Members of the Hollyoaks cast were there, including (left to right) Gemma Merna, Nathalie Emmanuel and Zoe Lister. However the Channel 4 soap did not win any awards.

There were six awards for ITV's Coronation Street, including sexiest female for Michelle Keegan (left), who plays Tina, and best actress for Katherine Kelly, who plays Becky.

Coronation Street stars Samia Smith (left) and Kym Marsh both opted for green dresses. Smith said she thought of the event as "a popularity contest".

On-screen the Branning family do not see eye-to-eye, but it was all smiles at the glitzy ceremony show.

Nitin Ganatra and Nina Wadia were awarded with the prize for best on-screen partnership. Wadia, also took home the award for best comedy performance. The ceremony will be broadcast on Wednesday on ITV.