EastEnders was thrown into chaos yesterday as camera and sound crew went on strike.

Nine staff walked out for three hours, forcing the BBC to use freelancers to ensure filming went ahead.

Workers protested at having allowances for travelling between BBC Television Centre in London and Elstree Studios, Herts, cancelled, costing them between £5,000 and £10,000 a year each.

They were already upset over working conditions.

Union Bectu has organised more strikes for this month, although an EastEnders spokeswoman insisted they would not halt production.

The BBC said: “We cannot afford to reimburse travel-towork claims at a time where other colleagues are losing their jobs.”

Albert Square is a long way from the Hollywood Hills, but Audrina Patridge has been asking around for people to help her get there.

The Hills star said she would love a cameo on the soap.

She said: “I really want to get into acting. Do you think you could help me get a job? I’d love to be in EastEnders. I love English TV shows.”

She is over here to promote The Hills finale, which is on MTV on Sunday August 15. The party girl went out to Mahiki nightclub after the celebration of the end of The Hills.

The boys were swarming all over her but Audrina wasn’t impressed.

She said: “I’m dating an Australian guy called Corey Bohan at the moment and it’s the best it has ever been.”

Some girls asked for my autograph and then said, “We love you in EastEnders,”‘ 16-year-old Justin told The Sun.

‘I’d never heard of the show. So I Googled the actor, and, I guess, there are worse people to be compared with.’

Do you think the pair look alike?

Look away now if you don’t want to see!

Actors and actresses dressed their best last night as they flocked to the Bafta Awards. There were a few surprise winners, although we’re very happy The Inbetweeners won! You deserved it. Here’s the list:

Fellowship Melvyn Bragg

Special award Simon Cowell

Leading actor Kenneth Branagh – Wallander (BBC1)

Leading actress Julie Walters – Mo (Channel 4) 

Supporting actor Matthew MacFadyen – Criminal Justice (BBC1) 

Supporting actress Rebecca Hall – Red Riding 1974 (Channel 4)

Entertainment performance Anthony McPartlin & Declan Donnelly – I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here! (ITV1)

Female performance in a comedy role Rebecca Front – The Thick Of It (BBC2)

Male performance in a comedy role Peter Capaldi – The Thick Of It (BBC2)

Single drama The Unloved (Channel 4)

Drama series Misfits (E4)

Drama serial Occupation (BBC1)

Continuing drama EastEnders – BBC1

International Mad Men (BBC4)

Factual series One Born Every Minute (C4)

Specialist factual Inside Nature’s Giants (Channel 4)

Single documentary Wounded (BBC1)

Features Masterchef: The Professionals (BBC2)

Current affairs Terror in Mumbai (Dispatches) (Channel 4)

News coverage ITV News at Ten – Haiti (ITV1/ITN)

Sport World Athletics Championship (BBC2)

New media Virtual Revolution (BBC2)

Entertainment programme Britain’s Got Talent (ITV1)

Comedy programme The Armstrong and Miller Show (BBC 1)

Situation comedy The Thick of It (BBC2)

YouTube Audience Award The Inbetweeners (E4)

Ok, we know Eastenders is not real! We are, of course, talking about Marc Elliott who has revealed that he has received homophobic abuse in the street over his/Syed’s gay storyline.

We’ve all been watching as Marc’s alter ego Syed Masood struggled to come to terms with his love for Christian Clarke (John Partridge).

It seems the poor chap isn’t having an easy time of it at home either. Marc has now confessed that there has been a mixed response to the long-running plot – with some fans embracing the story and others keen to voice their disapproval.  “Since playing Syed I have really got it in the neck when I’m out. A lot of people are supportive but there is still a huge amount of negativity.”

The actor said that he is able to laugh off the abuse, adding: “I haven’t been threatened but there’s a lot of cat-calling in the street. Any insult, I’ve had it thrown at me. It’s an incredibly important part. In so many cultures being gay is still something swept under the carpet.”

Marc is currently celebrating his  ‘Best Newcomer‘ prize which he won at the British Soap Awards earlier this month.

The ceremony airs tonight at 7.30pm on ITV1.

Katherine, who plays Becky McDonald in Coronation Street,  may have lost out on two soap awards (Best Actress & Best On-screen Partnership), but with her new hair cut and cute red dress she was our winner of the Most Stylish award.

Also looking pretty funky was Eastenders’ Preeya Kalidas, showing off some snazzy face-art.

You can watch the awards on ITV, Wednesday 19th May.

There were some spectacular actors and actresses all in the running, but who won? The British Soap Awards took place last night, and we have the list of all the winners. Look away now if you don’t want to see!

Sexiest Male – Scott Maslen (Jack Branning)  – Eastenders

Sexiest Female – Michelle Keegan (Tina McIntyre) – Coronation Street

Villian Of The Year – Larry Lamb (Archie Mitchell) – Eastenders

Best Actor – Scott Maslen (Jack Branning) – Eastenders

Best Actress – Lacey Turner (Stacey Branning) – Eastenders

Best Comedy Performance – Craig Gazey (Graeme Proctor) – Coronation Street

Best Dramatic Performance – Lacey Turner (Stacey Branning) – Eastenders

Best Dramatic Performance for Young Actor or Actress – Ami Metcalf (Sapphire Cox) – Doctors

Best Exit – Charlie Clements (Bradley Branning) – Eastenders

Best Newcomer – Marc Elliott (Syed Masood) – Eastenders

Best On-Screen Partnership – Jan Pearson and Chris Walker (Karen and Rob Hollins) – Doctors

Best Storyline – Who Killed Archie? – Eastenders

Spectacular Scene – The Parachute Jump – Hollyoaks

Best Single Episode – EastEnders Live

Lifetime Achievement Award – Betty Driver (Betty Williams, Coronation Street)

Special Achievement Award – Bill Lyons (Writer, Emmerdale)

Best Soap – EastEnders

The 22-year-old actress is quitting the soap to pursue a career in film.

Lacey said: ‘I’ve had the most fantastic time at EastEnders,’

‘Stacey’s been a brilliant role – as has being part of the feisty Slater family.

‘I’m so lucky to have had such challenging storylines, from the affair with Max and being diagnosed as bipolar, to the shock of being revealed as Archie’s killer in the live episode.

‘I’ll miss everyone in Albert Square, but the time has come to try something different.’

Lacey’s final scenes will air later this year.

Speaking about her emotions, Lily explained to The Times: “My songs are definitely a way of communicating feelings but not about things I feel very emotional about.”

“I get upset about really stupid things, about EastEnders. I cry about things I have no control over, like the way I look or how much weight I’ve put on. I rarely cry about relationships with other people.”

It seems the words ” You’re fired” are echoing throughout TV land with many of our much loved characters and presenters taking the blow.

We recently wrote about Hollyoaks loosing a staggering 11 cast members in a recent decision by new boss and it seems to have started a chain reaction.

Then came the news of The Bill receiving a fatal blow which saw the show axed after more than 25 years of service

Jason Gardiner has expressed fears he may be replaced as a judge on ITV hit show Dancing on Ice. Although rumour has it Jason has already agreed a deal with ITV for next season. Guess we’ll have to wait and see on that one.

MORE sad news came yesterday when soap favourite EastEnders announced it is to axe six characters. We’re still grieving Bradley Branning, although we’re assured he lives on in adland, but we’re just not ready  to say goodbye to any more of our best loved characters. Those bidding farewell to Albert Square are Charlie Slater (Derek Martin), Minty (Cliff Parisi), Liz Turner (Kate Williams), Danny Mitchell (Liam Bergin), Libby Fox (Belinda Owusu) and Adam Best (David Proud) who will all leave the Square later this year. Details of their exits, masterminded by new executive producer Bryan Kirkwood, are secret. Another Eastender farewell is of course Brit legend Babs Windsor who will be swapping the Queen Vic for Panto in Bristol later this year!!

‘It’s sad to see characters leave the Square,’ says a BBC spokeswoman…..But obviously when a new executive producer comes on board they’re always keen to refresh the show and make some changes……It’s the way soaps work, characters run their course and new characters come along.’ PAH!

Yesterday’s news also told of Adrian Chiles leaving The One Show/BBC for pastures new in camp ITV. Namely GMTV and football coverage. However, today we hear that Adrian’s addition to the GMTV sofa will see him push off regular presenters Ben Shephard and Andrew Castle. Now, we don’t know about you but we know who we’d rather wake up to on a drab Monday morning and it certainly isn’t Adrian!!!

There are even rumours that Kate Garraway and Emma Crosby will face the axe to be replaced by Chiles’ One Show co-host Christine Bleakley.

Panto season could come sooner than anticipated if this new trend continues!!