EASTENDERS star Danny Dyer will contest best actor at the British Soap Awards against Coronation Street’s Jack P Shepherd.

The 38-year-old is yet to win a British Soap Award but has been honoured with a variety of other gongs for his role as Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter.

Corrie’s Jack has won plaudits for his portrayal of troubled resident David Platt.

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MERYL Streep said she gave up singing early on and proceeded to ruin her voice with “smoking, drinking and debauchery”.

Her latest role sees her playing wealthy socialite and opera singer Florence Foster Jenkins, who became renowned for her lack of musical talent.

Triple Oscar winner Meryl said she feels like she is a “B, B+ singer” who is “very aware of her limitations”.

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ACTRESS Keeley Hawes has revealed she based her recent Shakespearean TV character on Diana, Princess of Wales.

She stars as Elizabeth Woodville, the commoner Queen of King Edward IV, in The Hollow Crown: The War Of The Roses.

The BBC Two title encompasses the three films celebrating Shakespeare this year, consisting of Henry VI (in two parts) and then Richard III, which is broken up into two three-hour films.

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BANKSY and acclaimed BBC Two drama Wolf Hall are among the nominees for the South Bank Sky Arts Awards.

The elusive Bristol graffiti artist has been recognised in the visual art category for Dismaland. He will compete against Cornelia Parker for Magna Carta (An Embroidery) at The British Library and Lynette Yiadom-Boakye: Verses After Dusk at the Serpentine Gallery.

Dismaland opened at a derelict seaside lido at Weston-super-Mare in Somerset in August. The controversial attraction featured migrant boats, Jimmy Savile and an anarchist training camp.

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SINGER Nelly Furtado has cited late musician Prince as she called on YouTube to raise its royalty payments to music artists.

Writing for The Guardian, the Canadian singer-songwriter joined the likes of Motley Crue co-founder Nikki Sixx and Blondie’s Debbie Harry in protesting against the current payout amounts.

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As Nelly, 37, invoked Prince’s name, she said other stars should “wake up”.