EastEnders stars celebrate gong

8:43pm Tuesday 30th September 2008

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EastEnders cast members are adamant that viewers made the right decision in naming EastEnders as the best soap at the Inside Soap awards.

Robert Kazinsky, who plays Sean Slater, proclaimed: "We're the best show - we don't shy away from controversial storylines. We don't shy away from doing things that might upset people, and we have the best actors."

He continued: "No detriment to the other ones, but I work with some amazing people like Steve McFadden, Adam Woodyatt - all these people who get overlooked - Jake Wood, Jo Joyner, that make the show..

"We do storylines that educate and inform and entertain - and I think finding that blend, that balance, is what makes us the best show."

Co-star Lacey Turner, who plays Sean's sister Stacey, agreed.

"I just think we've touched on quite a few subjects this year - we've tackled quite a few of them," she said.

"I think it's got diversity," Rita Simons, aka Roxy Mitchell, added. "It's got every different kind of person someone can relate to.

"It deals with really tough issues... EastEnders is a brave show and likes to produce storylines that are close to the bone. I think a lot of people can relate to that because life isn't a bed of roses."

Jake Wood, who plays Max Branning, continued the praise: "The scripts are consistently good. The acting's of a very high quality in my opinion."