Paul O'Grady joked about his recent heart attack

He joked: "People have sent cards and letters and dolls and teddy bears and flowers, flowers, flowers - I could have opened a florist."

Also among the guests was 53-year-old singer Lulu, who kept people guessing about her reported relationship with Night and Day star Stuart Manning, 21, when she insisted: "It's just a bit of fun."

Sexiest stars

EastEnders' winning night included a special achievement award for the soap's creator Tony Holland.

There was a double win for Alex Ferns, who plays wife-beater Trevor Morgan, with success in the best newcomer and villain of the year categories.

This year's sexiest female award went to Jessie Wallace, whose portrayal of Kat beat colleague Tamzin Outhwaite's character Melanie Owen.

EastEnders also triumphed in the categories for best single episode and best on-screen partnership.

Dog death

The most spectacular scene prize went to Channel 4's Hollyoaks, for Adam and Mandy's car crash.

Sexiest male and best actor Martin Kemp arrives with wife Shirley

Best dramatic performance went to Raymond Quinn of Brookside, which also won best storyline for its bullying plot.

Hero of the year went to Stuart Manning of Night and Day.

And the award for best exit went to Emmerdale for the death of Batley the dog.

There was further disappointment for ITV1 when Crossroads, the soap it resurrected last year, went away empty-handed.

'Ridiculous'

Lulu, who presented the sexiest male award to Martin Kemp said he "deserved" his award, adding: "I find him attractive. Certainly his character in EastEnders was great."

The singer said she was pleased Mr Manning won the Hero of the Year award, but responding to claims that her publisher confirmed their relationship she said: "That's ridiculous."

British Soap Awards 2002 winners in full:

• Sexiest male - Martin Kemp (EastEnders).
• Sexiest female - Jessie Wallace (EastEnders).
• Comedy performance - Malcolm Hebden (Coronation Street).
• Spectacular scene - Hollyoaks for Adam and Mandy's car crash.
• Best newcomer - Alex Ferns (EastEnders).
• Best dramatic performance - Raymond Quinn (Brookside).

  Kacey Ainsworth was voted best actress for her role as Little Mo

• Villain of the year - Alex Ferns (EastEnders).
• Hero of the year - Stuart Manning (Night and Day).
• Best story

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  line - Brookside bullying plot.
• Best on-screen partnership - June Brown and John Bardon (EastEnders).
• Best exit - Emmerdale for Batley the dog's death.
• Special achievement award - Tony Holland, creator of EastEnders.
• Best single episode - EastEnders, for October edition in which Zoe learns the truth about Kat being her mum.
• Best actor - Martin Kemp (EastEnders).
• Best actress - Kacey Ainsworth (EastEnders).
• Best British soap - EastEnders.