Radar: NEWS & GOSSIP FROM LAST NIGHT'S MEGA SOAP AWARDS: ENDS OFF!

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, May 9, 2004 | by Suzanne Kerins

SOAP queen Jessie Wallace was the Kat who got the cream at the British Soap Awards last night - but we can reveal she had an amazing bust-up with Leslie Grantham on the EastEnders set earlier this week.

Pregnant Jessie, who was nominated for three gongs, had every reason to be all smiles again after scooping the Sexiest Female Award.

Earlier this week, Jessie, 34, who plays loudmouth barmaid Kat Slater, let rip at Grantham who had called her a "vile dog" in a sordid webcam sex chat. But when he tried to apologise to her on set this week and touched her stomach, Jessie stormed: "Push off. Don't you dare touch me."

A friend said: "Jessie felt very vulnerable. Leslie is a big chap. He was very close to her and he kept thrusting a piece of paper forward.

"Jessie kept her dignity. She spoke up for the lot of us."

Last night Grantham, whose character Dirty Den recently returned to the soap, was too ashamed to show his face at the ceremony at BBC TV Centre, but he was undoubtably the talk of the night.

However, his co-stars had vowed to unite behind Jessie's stand and ensure the unpleasantness didn't ruin their big night.

And it turned out to be a great night for EastEnders who won Best Soap despite being criticised for poor storylines recently. Shane Richie, 40, who plays Alfie Moon won best actor, and it was a great night for Nigel Harman, 30, who plays Den's long-lost son Dennis Watts, who scooped Sexiest Male and Best Newcomer.

Rod Stewart's ex Rachel Hunter was in the audience as the winners were announced. EastEnders won Best Villain for Charlie Brooks, 23, who plays Janine Evans.

Charlie was wearing a diamond engagement ring after her boyfriend, nightclub promoter Tony Truman, proposed to her last week on holiday in Dubai.

The BBC soap also scooped Best Dramatic Performance from a Young Actor or Actress which went to Natalie Cassidy, 19, who plays Sonia Jackson. But it wasn't all bad news for Corrie. Suranne Jones, who plays Karen McDonald scooped Best Actress and Kate Ford, 29, who plays scheming Tracy Barlow, won Soap Bitch of the Year.

Hayley and Roy Cropper, aka Hayley Hesmondhalgh and David Nielson, 55, were given Best On-screen Partnership.

But outside the venue Michelle Ryan, 20, who plays Kat's daughter Zoe, won the "who can reveal the most flesh award", turning up in a tiny black dress that left little to the imagination.

Jessie Wallace, who announced she was expecting a baby last month, arrived at the ceremony glowing in a black trouser suit with fur collared jacket, accompanied by her fiance Dave Morgan. Other winners were Sheree Murphy, (Tricia Dingle) and Mark Charnock (Marlon Dingle) from Emmerdale.