Still nifty at 50!

“Coronation Street” has been voted most popular soap in its 50th year at the National Television Awards, beating rival “EastEnders”.

And Craig Gazey, from Royton, who plays butcher’s assistant Graeme Proctor, scooped the award for best newcomer.

William Roache, who has starred as Ken Barlow in the soap since the first episode, said: “We might be 50-years-old but we have a heartbeat like a cannon.”

Delighted Oldham Theatre Workshop old boy Antony Cotton, who plays machinist and barman Sean Tully, said: “For the past few years ‘EastEnders’ has won. We were all a bit shocked and amazed not because we don’t do a great job but this one we sometimes don’t win.”

But there were no surprises in the outstanding drama performance category: outgoing “Doctor Who” actor David Tennant won for the fourth time.

“Doctor Who” has traditionally triumphed at the NTAs since its return to our screens. Tennant used the 2008 ceremony to announce his departure from the series.