Corrie's Michelle up for hat-trick at soap awards

Coronation Street's Michelle Keegan could score a hat-trick at this year's British Soap Awards after being shortlisted for Sexiest Female.

The soap star, who plays barmaid Tina McIntyre, has taken the award home two years in a row, but faces competition from co-star Alison King (Carla Connor), EastEnders' Rita Simons (Roxy Mitchell) and Hollyoaks' Jennifer Metcalfe (Mercedes McQueen).

Jennifer tweeted: "Thank u for all ur msgs of support n votes for the soap awards... Means so much to me!"

Boyzone singer Keith Duffy, who plays Coronation Street's Ciaran, and former Hollyoaks star Chris Fountain, who has just joined the street as ladies' man Tommy Duckworth, are both up for Sexiest Male.

The Coronation Street men will battle it out for votes against EastEnders' Scott Maslen (Jack Branning) and Emmerdale's Danny Miller (Aaron Livesy), who is also up for Best Actor.

EastEnders Charlie Brooks, who plays Janine Malloy, will compete against former co-star Don Gilet, who played murderous preacher Lucas Johnson, for Villain of the Year. Coronation Street's Kate Ford, who plays Tracy Barlow, and Hollyoaks' Emmett J Scanlan who plays Brendan Brady have also been shortlisted for the award.

Emmett, who is also up for Best Actor, tweeted: "No idea what to say; utterly unexpecte... thanks 2 every1 who voted; being shortlisted by u guys is an absolute honour... utmost respect."

Others shortlisted for Best Actor include Weatherfield's Chris Gascoyne (Peter Barlow) and EastEnders' Shane Richie, who plays Alfie Moon.

Among those up for Best Actress is Jessie Wallace, who plays Shane's on-screen wife Kat, and Coronation Street's Katherine Kelly (Becky McDonald).

Coronation Street, EastEnders, Doctors, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks are all up for Best British Soap and this year's winner will be revealed at the ceremony in Manchester in May, to be broadcast on ITV1.

You can vote HERE in the public categories.