Inside Soap Awards nominations announced

The nominees have been announced today, for this year's Inside Soap awards.

The magazine has revealed who will compete for honours in seven categories - and Coronation Street has won the early backing of the bookies to take the coveted 'Best Soap' gong.

Category favourites include, for sexiest female, Coronation Street's Tina O’Brien (Sarah Platt) and EastEnders' Kara Tointon (Dawn Swann).

Those tipped for sexiest male include Ryan Thomas (Jason Grimshaw), of Coronation Street and EastEnders' Rob Kazinsky (Sean Slater).

For best actor Coronation Street's Antony Cotton (Sean Tully), Emmerdale's Mark Charnock (Marlon Dingle) and Neighbours' Alan Fletcher (Karl Kennedy) compete among others.

Those hoping to land the gong for best actress include Coronation Street's Kym Ryder (Michelle Connor), Lacey Turner (Stacey Slater) from EastEnders and Emmerdale's Linda Thorson (Rosemary King).

Steven Murphy, editor of Inside Soap, said: "It’s been a blockbuster year in the soaps and with the plots and drama bigger than ever - anything could happen at this year's Inside Soap Awards."

Click here for the full list of nominations and details of how to vote.