Coronation Street star William Roache has led tributes to his on-screen wife Anne Kirkbride at the National Television Awards.

Roache and Kirkbride, who died of cancer on Monday, shared the screen for more than 40 years as the soap's Ken and Deirdre Barlow.

He told the audience at London's O2 Arena that his co-star was a "vibrant, warm-hearted and loving person".

"For over 40 years, our dear friend Anne Kirkbride played the part of Deirdre and she became one of the best loved and most enduring characters on British television," he said.

"With her husky voice and trademark spectacles, the nation took Deirdre to their hearts.

"As the characters Ken and Deirdre we felt we'd met our soulmates and no matter what was thrown at us - Deirdre's wrongful imprisonment and the compelling love triangle with Mike Baldwin - we always found one another together.

"The nation seemed to want us together and I feel so blessed, honoured and privileged to have had those years working with Anne."

EastEnders took the prize for the best serial drama at the awards, but actor Adam Woodyatt, who collected the trophy, paid tribute to rival soap Coronation Street.

Woodyatt said: "I'd like to say a big thank you to Coronation Street because without you there would be no EastEnders.

"There would be no Phil and Ian, no Mick and Linda, no Kat and Alfie, without your enduring characters like Ken and Deirdre.

In a reference to Kirkbride's character, he added: "If you don't mind, we'd like to accept this for the Weatherfield One."

EastEnders' win meant that despite the emotion of the evening, Corrie went away without a prize.

The 60-year-old Kirkbride was part of some major storylines in the ITV show after joining in 1972.

One of the most memorable plots - the love triangle between Deirdre, Ken and Mike Baldwin - led to her being voted TV Personality Of The Year in 1983.

Kirkbride is survived by her husband David and her brother John.