The British Soap Awards - ITV

It's the 21st British Soap Awards – who's going to come out on top?

It's the 21st British Soap Awards – who's going to come out on top?

As Liverpool and Spurs fight it out in Madrid, the giants of the soap world hope to score at Manchester’s Lowry Theatre, venue for the 21st British Soap Awards.

Phillip Schofield is the trusty ref in charge, and EastEnders – which has explored issues such as knife crime and sexual consent this year – will hope to do the double and add the prize for best soap to its recent BAFTA win.

But it’s a level playing field, and Hollyoaks’ football abuse plot and Aidan’s suicide in Corrie – both up for a best storyline award – have also had fans gripped.

TV Times caught up with Katie McGlynn and Rob Mallard – Corrie newlyweds Sinead and Daniel to ask them about their nomination for Best Female and Best Male Dramatic Performance.

"I feel really humbled that we’re even nominated, says Katie. "And it shows that our storyline is making an impact.

"I’m really happy that it’s raising awareness for the charity Mummy’s Star, which we worked with, and raising awareness of the issues that people in Daniel and Sinead’s situation have to face."

Rob agrees: "It’s a really strong category. I know people say all the time, ‘It’s just nice to be nominated,’ but it is!"

Whether Rob and Katie take home a gong tonight, let’s hope there are no expletive-ridden speeches or wardrobe malfunctions – for the second time, it’s going live…

TV Times rating: ****