Jessie Wallace, the British actress best known for playing 'Kat Moon' on Eastenders, has been named 'Best Actress' at the 2011 Inside Soap Awards. Wallace, who turned 40-years-old over the weekend, picked up the award at the event held at North London venue Gilgamesh, reports the Press Association.
The win tops off a tumultuous year for Wallace, who jilted fiance Vince Morse the day before their scheduled wedding. Her character has also endured relationship battles on-screen - burying what she thought was her son's body only to discover her baby had been swapped and was still alive. She and husband Alfie fought to keep their relationship alive following the roller-coaster of emotions that ensued. Elsewhere at the awards ceremony, 10-year-old Maisie Smith, who plays Tiffany Butcher on Eastenders, was crowned Best Young Actor while Tameka Empson scooped 'Funniest Performance' for her portrayal of beautician Kim Fox. Although Eastenders scooped the majority of the awards, Coronation Street won 'Outstanding Achievement' for the soaps' 50th anniversary episode that featured a tram crash.
Earlier this year, Wallace was nominated for the BAFTA for 'Best Supporting Actress', for her role as Pat Phoenix in 'The Road to Coronation Street'.