The Inside Soap Award nominees are announced

Jessie Wallace is nominated in the Best Actress category

EastEnders will hope to defend its Best Soap crown at the Inside Soap Awards.

The BBC show will compete against Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks for the title of Best Soap.

The awards ceremony includes categories such as Best Exit, Best Wedding and Funniest Performance.

In the best actress category, EastEnders' Jessie Wallace, who plays Queen Vic landlady Kat Moon faces stiff competition from Emmerdale's Pauline Quirke.

Both Wallace and Quirke were involved in controversial storylines during the year. The EastEnders baby swap storyline drew criticism and thousands of complaints while Quirke played a key role in Emmerdale's assisted suicide plot.

The category is rounded out by Claire Cooper from Hollyoaks and Coronation Street's Katherine Kelly who plays Becky McDonald.

Nominations for best actor include Chris Gascoyne, who is Coronation Street's Peter Barlow, Scott Maslen, who plays Jack Branning in EastEnders, and Emmett J Scanlan, who plays Brendan Brady in Hollyoaks.

The magazine's editor, Steven Murphy, says it's a vintage year for soap fans.

"The storylines over the last year have been some of the most exciting and dramatic we've ever seen in soapland, and we're looking forward to revealing the winners at this year's ceremony.

The winners will be decided by readers of Inside Soap magazine. The awards will be handed out in a ceremony in London on 26 September.

Nominees In Full -

Best Actor

Chris Gascoyne (Peter Barlow, Coronation Street)

Scott Maslen (Jack Branning, EastEnders)

Danny Miller (Aaron Livesy, Emmerdale)

Emmett J Scanlan (Brendan Brady, Hollyoaks)

Best Actress

Katherine Kelly (Becky McDonald, Coronation Street)

Jessie Wallace (Kat Moon, EastEnders)

Pauline Quirke (Hazel Rhodes, Emmerdale)

Claire Cooper (Jacqui Ashworth, Hollyoaks)

Best Young Actor

Alex Bain (Simon Barlow, Coronation Street)

Maisie Smith (Tiffany Butcher, EastEnders)

Joe-Warren Plant (Jacob Gallagher, Emmerdale)

Ellis Hollins (Tom Cunningham, Hollyoaks)

Best Newcomer

Paula Lane (Kylie Platt, Coronation Street)

Steve John Shepherd (Michael Moon, EastEnders)

Pauline Quirke (Hazel Rhodes, Emmerdale)

Emmett J Scanlan (Brendan Brady, Hollyoaks)

Funniest Performance

Patti Clare (Mary Taylor, Coronation Street)

Tameka Empson (Kim Fox, EastEnders)

Gillian Wright (Jean Slater, EastEnders)

Bronagh Waugh (Cheryl Brady, Hollyoaks)

Sexiest Male

Keith Duffy (Ciaran McCarthy, Coronation Street)

Scott Maslen (Jack Branning, EastEnders)

Danny Miller (Aaron Livesy, Emmerdale)

Danny Mac (Dodger Savage, Hollyoaks)

Sexiest Female

Michelle Keegan (Tina McIntyre, Coronation Street)

Jo Joyner (Tanya Jessop, EastEnders)

Sammy Winward (Katie Sugden, Emmerdale)

Jennifer Metcalfe (Mercedes Fisher, Hollyoaks)

Best Exit

Bill Tarmey (Jack Duckworth, Coronation Street)

Lacey Turner (Stacey Branning, EastEnders)

Marc Silcock (Jackson Walsh, Emmerdale)

Carley Stenson (Steph Roach, Hollyoaks)

Best Wedding

Roy and Hayley Cropper (Coronation Street)

Tamwar Masood and Afia Khan (EastEnders)

Chas Dingle and Carl King (Emmerdale)

Gilly Roach and Steph Cunningham (Hollyoaks)

Best Dramatic Performance

Jane Danson (Leanne's wedding to Peter, live episode, Coronation Street)

Steve McFadden (Phil on drugs, EastEnders)

Danny Miller (Jackson's choice, Emmerdale)

Kieron Richardson (Ste's domestic abuse, Hollyoaks)

Best Daytime Soap

Doctors

Home and Away

Neighbours

Best Daytime Star

Matthew Chambers (Dr Daniel Granger, Doctors)

Esther Anderson (Charlie Buckton, Home and Away)

Ryan Moloney (Toadie Rebecchi, Neighbours)

Jackie Woodburne (Susan Kennedy, Neighbours)

Best Drama

Casualty

Holby City

Waterloo Road

Best Soap

Coronation Street

EastEnders

Emmerdale

Hollyoaks