Louisa LyttonLouisa LyttonThe wait is over.

The sexiest stars in soapland have been crowned at the British Soap Awards... and there were a handful of other surprises on the night too.

EastEnders star Louisa Lytton won the coveted sexiest female prize, beating off hot competition from her Albert Square co-star Lacey Turner, as well as Hollyoaks stars Sarah Jane Dunn and Roxanne McKee.

Louisa, 17, who plays troubled teen Ruby Allen on the show, said she was "really shocked" to win, adding: "I am the youngest one in the category."

No prizes for guessing that Corrie's Richard Fleeshman nabbed the sexiest male title, seeing off Chris Fountain (Hollyoaks), Nigel Harman and Matt di Angelo (EastEnders).

But the story of the night was the resounding return of EastEnders. The previously ailing soap won seven prizes, including best show, best actor (Ross Kemp) and best actress (Lacey Turner).

Albert Square's Charlie Clements, who plays Bradley Branning, also won best newcomer.

Coronation Street had to settle for just four gongs, including a lifetime achievement award for Johnny Briggs, who played Mike Baldwin on the show for 30 years.

Emmerdale picked up four awards, including soap bitch of the year, which went to Nicola Wheeler (Nicola Blackstock).

Catch the glitz and glam of the awards on ITV1 on Wednesday 24th May.