It looked like it was going to be another clean sweep for Eastenders at the British Soap Awards, but as the top prize for best soap was announced the residents of Albert Square were dealt their own dramatic moment as Emmerdale picked up the top award.

It was an historic moment for the Yokshire-based soap, which took the coveted trophy for the first time in the 18-year history of the British Soap Awards.

Presented by Dynasty star Joan Collins, Emmerdale bagged the accolade for a series of dramatic story lines that included Val Pollard's HIV diagnosis and death after a helicopter crash and the emotionally charged revelation of Aaron's (Danny Miller) child abuse at the hands of his father.

Accepting the award on behalf of the entire team, John Middleton - who stars as longstanding character Ashley Thomas - paid tribute to the late actress Shirley Stelfox (Edna Birch). "Not only was she wonderfully talented, she was also fiercely proud of the show," he said. Her heart would have burst with pride tonight. As does ours."

The sensitively handled storyline also won due recognition for Miller, who took the award for Best Actor and Best Male Dramatic Performance. Collecting his award, he said: "Soap actors and actresses are the hardest working bunch of actors in the business, as far as I'm concerned. We come in at seven, go home at seven, do 60 pages a day and we're paid s***e."'

Nevertheless it was hardly a bad night for the Eastenders team, who bagged five awards at the star-studded ceremony at London's Hackney Empire, hosted by Phillip Schofield.

The Eastenders winning streak saw Lacey Turner bag the top prize for Best Actress and also scooped the award for Best Female Dramatic Performance. The actress won accolades for her portrayal of Stacey Branning's descent into post-partum psychosis, raising awareness of the debilitating mental health condition, which also won the award for Best Storyline. Bonnie Langford - who plays Carmel Kazemi - won the Best Debut award despite being a seasoned TV star.

There was also another nod to Eastenders as Steve McFadden took the award for Outstanding Achievement. The actor - who has played the role of East End tough guy Phil Mitchell for 26 years - was acknowledged by his peers for his long-running commitment to the series and his performance.

On winning the award he said, in a recorded message: " I don't really get awards, but I've got one now. I'm not used to getting awards so I'll just say thank you. To my mum and dad for their support throughout all these years, to the cast and crew of Eastenders and to the viewers. Without you we wouldn't be here."

Full list of winners at the British Soap Awards 2016:

Best British Soap

  • Coronation Street
  • Doctors
  • EastEnders
  • Emmerdale – WINNER
  • Hollyoaks

Best Actor

  • Coronation Street: Jack P Shepherd (David Platt)
  • Hollyoaks: Charlie Clapham (Freddie Roscoe)
  • EastEnders: Danny Dyer (Mick Carter)
  • Emmerdale: Danny Miller (Aaron Livesy) – WINNER
  • Hollyoaks: Kieron Richardson (Ste Hay)

Best Actress

  • Coronation Street: Alison King (Carla Connor)
  • EastEnders: Lacey Turner (Stacey Branning) – WINNER
  • EastEnders: Rakhee Thakrar (Shabnam Masood)
  • Emmerdale: Lucy Pargeter (Chas Dingle)
  • Hollyoaks: Jennifer Metcalfe (Mercedes McQueen)

Villain of the Year

  • Coronation Street: Connor McIntyre (Pat Phelan) – WINNER
  • Doctors: Adam Astill (Anthony Harker)
  • EastEnders: Ellen Thomas (Claudette Hubbard)
  • Emmerdale: Ryan Hawley (Robert Sugden)
  • Hollyoaks: Sophie Austin (Lindsey Roscoe)

Best Comedy Performance

  • Coronation Street: Patti Clare (Mary Taylor) – WINNER
  • Doctors: Sarah Moyle (Valerie Pitman)
  • EastEnders: Tameka Empson (Kim Fox-Hubbard)
  • Emmerdale: Matthew Wolfenden (David Metcalfe)
  • Hollyoaks: Ross Adams (Scott Drinkwell)

Best Newcomer

  • Coronation Street: Shayne Ward (Aidan Connor)
  • Doctors: Bharti Patel (Ruhma Hanif)
  • EastEnders: Bonnie Langford (Carmel Kazemi) – WINNER
  • Emmerdale: Isobel Steele (Liv Flaherty)
  • Hollyoaks: Duayne Boachie (Zack Loveday)

Best Storyline

  • Coronation Street: Callum's Reign of Terror and Sarah's Baby
  • Doctors: Treehouse
  • EastEnders: Stacey's Postpartum Psychosis – WINNER
  • Emmerdale: Aaron's Abuse
  • Hollyoaks: The McQueen's Cycle of Abuse

Best Single Episode

  • Coronation Street: Live Episode
  • Doctors: The Heart of England – WINNER
  • EastEnders: Shabnam's stillbirth
  • Emmerdale: Aftermath of Village Hall explosion
  • Hollyoaks: Patrick Blake's right to die decision

Best Male Dramatic Performance

  • Coronation Street: Jack P Shepherd (David Platt)
  • Doctors: Adrian Lewis Morgan (Dr Jimmi Clay)
  • EastEnders: Steve McFadden (Phil Mitchell)
  • Emmerdale: Danny Miller (Aaron Livesy) – WINNER
  • Hollyoaks: Jeremy Sheffield (Patrick Blake)

Best Female Dramatic Performance

  • Coronation Street: Tina O'Brien (Sarah Platt)
  • Doctors: Sarah Moyle (Valerie Pitman)
  • EastEnders: Lacey Turner (Stacey Branning) – WINNER
  • Emmerdale: Charlotte Bellamy (Laurel Thomas)
  • Hollyoaks: Zoe Lucker (Reenie McQueen)

Best On-Screen Partnership

  • Coronation Street: Sally Dynevor and Joe Duttine (Sally Webster and Tim Metcalfe) – WINNER
  • Doctors: Dido Miles and Ian Kelsey (Dr Emma Reid and Dr Howard Bellamy)
  • EastEnders: Danny Dyer and Kellie Bright (Mick and Linda Carter)
  • Emmerdale: Danny Miller and Ryan Hawley (Aaron Livesy and Robert Sugden)
  • Hollyoaks: Ashley Taylor Dawson and Jessica Fox (Darren and Nancy Osborne)

Best Young Performance

  • Coronation Street: Elle Mulvaney (Amy Barlow)
  • EastEnders: Grace (Janet Mitchell)
  • Emmerdale: Amelia Flanagan (April Windsor)
  • Hollyoaks: Ruby O'Donnell (Peri Lomax) – WINNER

Scene of the Year

  • Coronation Street: Callum's death
  • Doctors: Valerie leaves Barry at the altar
  • EastEnders: Mick and Linda finally get married
  • Emmerdale: Val's death – WINNER
  • Hollyoaks: Nico kills Patrick

Outstanding Achievement Award (On-Screen)

  • Steve McFadden: EastEnders

The Tony Warren Award (Off-Screen)

  • James Bain: formerly Coronation Street and Emmerdale
EastEnders Emmerdale