Katherine Kelly is hoping 2011 will be the year that Coronation Street trumps EastEnders at the British Soap Awards. The actress, who is up for Best Actress for her portrayal of Becky McDonald, reckons it's about time the Manchester-based series stole the spotlight from its BBC rival, especially since they have home advantage with the ceremony taking place on May 14 at the Granada TV Studios in Manchester. "I hope so - the year I started Coronation Street (2007), we did (triumph over EastEnders) and we swept up in 2008, but I don't think we have done since then. That would be quite special: we won the year I arrived, and then we win the year that I go," she said. "We're on home ground. Everyone backed us for the live episode and we had great viewing figures which was amazing, so it would be wonderful to have some silverware for the Rovers Return mantelpiece to back it up." She added: "That would be the cherry on the icing on the top of the cake!" Katherine, who took home the Best Actress prize in 2009, feels no competition towards her rivals, which include EastEnders star Jessie Wallace, Emmerdale's Jane Cox and Hollyoaks' Claire Cooper. "It is lovely to be still in the pile. It's the last one so it means a lot," she said. "Jessie's an honorary member of Coronation Street anyways, she's phenomenal. I was lucky enough to get it in 2009 and I would never expect to win again." Voting for the British Soap Awards remains open until May 13 at 5pm - see www.britishsoapawards.tv/ for more information.
