Last night, a number of the casts of Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks turned out in Manchester for the Inside Soap Awards launch party 2009.

Emmerdale's Kelvin Fletcher, Lyndon Ogbourne and Alice Coulthard were among the stars who arrived at the Great John Street hotel on the terrace party, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Corrie's Michael Le Vell and Sally Whittaker (Kevin and Sally Webster).

Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks, meanwhile, showcased their hoard of new talent, with the recently-crowned winner of the show's Desperately Seeking competition Beth Kingston (India), newbie student Elliot James Langridge (Dave Colburn), larger-than-life Bronagh Waugh (Cheryl) and not forgetting the lovely Nicole Barber-Lane (Myra McQueen).

The star of the night? It had to be DS favourite Craig Gazey. Funny, funny guy. It's not every day you see Coronation Street's Graeme Proctor on a roof terrace exclaiming the word "gannet". He had everyone in stitches. Corrie definitely have a cracker with him.

I actually met with Craig - who was a little worse for wear to say the least! - over a coffee this morning for a quick catch-up about his forthcoming storylines and his character development since the last time I interviewed him. Check back soon for the full transcript of our chat and a picture exclusive of Graeme's new wheels...

Gossip from the evening? So much!

§ Kym Marsh has some great material towards the end of the year. I'm pleased to report that we'll soon be seeing the old Michelle shining though - more on that one when I can...
§ I've been hearing more whispers about Hollyoaks' bumper September. It's the start of a new academic year and there'll be a raft of fresh new faces, most notably Dave and India. The Ste/Abi/Daniel story comes to a head in dramatic style. And for all those wondering where Amy is, she's back during that month!
§ Emma Atkins has been back at the Emmerdale studios in Leeds a few times over recent weeks in preparation for her October comeback. She's not started filming yet, though.
§ Tina McIntyre (Michelle Keegan) and Jason Grimshaw's (Ryan Thomas) relationship rattles on for a few months at least, while Joe's (Reece Dinsdale) departure will send shockwaves up and down the Street - and it's not what you think.
§ Hollyoaks Later is going to be huge.
§ Emmerdale's Nathan Wylde (Lyndon Ogbourne) starts befriending newcomer Ryan Lamb (James Sutton), completely unaware that he's his brother.
§ Meanwhile, Alice Coulthard (Maisie Wylde) teased that she might end up taking a liking to Ryan, too. And not the way a sister should be with their half-brother. I think she may have been joking, but you can make your own mind up when you see her video interview...
§ And just when you think you've worked out what's going to happen with the Molvin (Molly and Kevin) affair... I've been told there's a massive turn of events that blows the story out of the water.

Oh okay, one extremely vague final tease...

§ Hands up if you're excited about Carla's (Alison King) return to Weatherfield... Oh. My. God. I cannot wait!

Don't forget to check back tomorrow for our video interviews from the event. My partner in crime for the evening Chris Allen is beavering away editing the footage as I type.

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