Everyone at Coronation Street is "thrilled to bits" after the programme swept the board at the glittering British Soap Awards, a spokesman said today.

Jubilant Corrie stars picked up seven awards on Saturday night including the coveted Best Soap.

But there was disappointment for three young actors from the Bradford district who were nominted but failed to win.

Jack P Shepherd, who plays David Platt in Coronation Street, was up for two awards - Best Actor and Best Villain - and Chris Fountain, who plays Justin Burton in Hollyoaks, was also up for Best Actor. But the award went to Antony Cotton (Sean Tully in Corrie).

Matthew Wolfenden, who joined Emmerdale six months ago as David Metcalfe, was nominated for Sexiest Male. But Rob James-Collier, Liam Connor in the Street, pipped Matthew to the prize.

Jack, 19, of Pudsey, had been involved in some of the Street's most dramatic storylines since joining the show seven years ago. David has gone from cute child to twisted teenager.

David's sinister deeds have driven his mother Gail to the brink of a breakdown.

He sent her a series of cards signed' by her dead husband Richard Hillman, refused to go to school, blackmailed Tracy Barlow and lied for her in court.

Gemma Bissix (Clare Cunningham in Hollyoaks) took the Best Villain award ahead of Jack.

But Jack, who went to Stage 84 in Idle, is still relishing his role as Street baddie. "I'm fascinated by seemingly normal people with an evil streak, although David's just mixed up," he said. "I learned from Brian Capron who played Richard Hillman, he was very understated which made him more sinister.

"The great thing about Coronation Street is it blends comedy and tragedy so well. I can be doing a heavy scene with Helen Worth (Gail) one minute, then a comedy scene in the Kabin with Malcolm Hebden (Norris) the next."

Best Actress went to Kate Ford who played superbitch Tracy Barlow. Her character was jailed for murder after the court case was filmed on location at Bradford City Hall.

Emmerdale hunk Matthew Wolfenden, 26, joined the Yorkshire soap last autumn as the son of scheming Eric Pollard. His character, David, is currently two-timing Delilah Dingle with Katie Sugden.

Matthew, of Norwood Green, near Wyke, is also a singer and started his career in West End musicals. Earlier this year he competed in ITV's Soapstar Superstar.

"Emmerdale is my mum's favourite soap and my grandparents always had it on when I was a child," said Matthew, who went to Brighouse High School and Stage 84.

"It was daunting going into a big show with such a close-knit cast and on my first day I was sitting in the green room thinking Oh my God it's him, it's her.' "Working on a soap is fantastic because it's such a quick turnaround with lots of different storylines."

Chris Fountain, 19 of Wibsey plays Justin Burton in Channel 4's teen soap Hollyoaks. Last year Chris was nominated as Best Actor in the National Television Awards.

Chris, who attended Intake Performing Arts School in Bramley, starred in a high-profile Hollyoaks storyline involving his character having an affair with his teacher.

The British Soap Awards will be screened on ITV1 on Wednesday at 8pm.

e-mail: emma.clayton@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

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