At 70, though, Dame Shirley Bassey still oozes sex appeal.

The singing legend, shimmering in gold sequins, left, revealed a buxom cleavage at Saturday’s Soap Awards which might be the envy of many women half her age.

Dame Shirley’s romance with theatre producer Greg Smith ended three years ago.

“Maybe I’m not meant to find love. Maybe I’m meant to be tormented,” the twice-wed star said recently. But her place in people’s hearts was confirmed when organisers asked her to present the prestigious Best Soap Award to ITV’s Coronation Street.

It was the first of seven awards for the Corrie cast and crew as they trounced their EastEnders rivals. Albert Square bosses, already battling with their worst ratings ever, watched gloomily as they were beaten by Hollyoaks, Emmerdale and even daytime soap Doctors.

Wendy Richard’s Lifetime Achievement Award was little solace.

Wendy, 63, who played EastEnders matriarch Pauline Fowler, has confessed that she stopped watching the soap a long time ago.

Their only consolation was Best Dramatic Performance, won by bad girl Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner).

The Street scooped Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Newcomer, Best Exit, Best Storyline. Sexiest Male and Best Soap.