Dirty Den's recent return gave EastEnders a boost

The soaps are both nominated in four categories, including best serial drama, where they face competition from Hollyoaks and Emmerdale.

Cutting It, A Touch Of Frost and Bad Girls are among other nominated shows.

The awards, voted for by viewers and hosted by Sir Trevor McDonald, will be handed out at the Royal Albert Hall.

EastEnders' Jessie Wallace and Shane Richie will compete with Coronation Street's Suranne Jones and Brian Capron in the acting categories.

David Jason is nominated for most popular actor again

EastEnders has dominated the recent Inside Soap Awards and the TV Quick Awards, but Coronation Street has triumphed in the ratings.

Ritchie and Capron will face strong competition in the best actor category.

Last year's winner, David Jason, is nominated for A Touch of Frost while Martin Clunes, for William and Mary, and Cutting It's Jason Merrells are also in the running.

On the best actress shortlist, Wallace and Jones face Amanda Burton for Silent Witness, Amanda Redman for At Home With The Braithwaites and Sarah Parish for Cutting It.

But there was no room for Cutting It co-star Amanda Holden.

Entertainers

Last year's big winners, Ant and Dec, who took home three awards in 2002, are nominated for best entertainment presenter this year.

They are up against Graham Norton, Davina McCall and Jonathan Ross.

There will be a prize for most popular reality TV show for the first time this year, with Big Brother and I'm A Celebrity... in the running.

Also nominated are Jamie Oliver's Jamie's Kitchen and SAS: Are You Tough Enough?