Who will triumph in British soap's biggest night of the year? We've debated the nominees' merits and picked the most likely winners at this year's ceremony
The British Soap Awards are awarded in Manchester on Saturday, June 3rd, on soap's biggest night of the calendar. But what will succeed Emmerdale as Best Soap and who will succeed Danny Miller and Lacey Turner as Best Actor and Best Actress?
Our resident soap expert, Alison Slade, has reviewed the biggest storylines, the strongest performances and the most stunning scenes to choose who she thinks will win the honours at the 19th annual awards at Manchester's Lowry Theatre.
What do you think of her choices?
British Soap Awards Scene of the Year Nominations (Last year’s winner was Val’s Death – Emmerdale)
ALISON'S WINNER:
Emmerdale: The Hotten Bypass Pile Up – "The stunts and the special effects were worthy of the big screen and it was brilliant the way multiple storylines were brought into it. Also, no one knew it was coming!"
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
Coronation Street: Michelle’s Goodbye To Ruairi
Also Nominated...
Doctors: Haunted By His Voices EastEnders:Ronnie & Ronnie’s Exit Hollyoaks: Jade Says Goodbye To Alfie
British Soap Awards Young Actor Nominations (Last year’s winner was Ruby O’Donnell – Hollyoaks)
ALISON'S WINNER:
Coronation Street: Elle Mulvaney (Amy Barlow) – "Elle had some nice scenes in the B&B with mum Tracy and Rob and the producers have a lot of confidence in the young star with the storylines they're giving her."
Who Alison thinks SHOULD win:
Emmerdale: Isobel Steele (Liv Flaherty) – "Isobel is not only one of the best young actors in Emmerdale, she's one of the best actors!"
Also Nominated...
EastEnders: Bleu Landau (Dennis Rickman) Hollyoaks: Ela May Demircan (Leah Barnes)
British Soap Awards On-Screen Partnership Nominations (Last year’s winners were Sally Dynevor & Joe Duttine – Coronation Street)
ALISON'S WINNER:
Coronation Street: Malcolm Hebden & Patti Clare (Norris Cole & Mary Taylor) – "The definition of a great double act is you can't have one without the other and Norris and Mary bring out the very best in each other."
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
Emmerdale: John Middleton & Charlotte Bellamy (Ashley & Laurel Thomas)
Also Nominated...
Doctors: Matthew Chambers & Elisabeth Dermot Walsh (Dr Daniel Granger & Dr Zara Carmichael) EastEnders: James Bye & Lacey Turner (Martin & Stacey Fowler) Hollyoaks: Richard Linnell & Kassius NelsoN (Alfie Nightingale & Jade Albright)
British Soap Awards Best Female Dramatic Performance Nominations (Last year’s winner was Lacey Turner – EastEnders)
ALISON'S WINNER:
Coronation Street: Kym Marsh (Michelle Connor) – "Kym Marsh gave a faultless performance as a grief-stricken mother when she lost Ruairi and, considering her own experiences, it elevated it further."
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
Emmerdale: Charlotte Bellamy (Laurel Thomas)
Also Nominated...
Doctors: Dido Miles (Dr Emma Reid) EastEnders: Diane Parish (Denise Fox) Hollyoaks: Nadine Mulkerrin (Cleo McQueen)
British Soap Awards Best Male Dramatic Performance Nominations (Last year’s winner was Danny Miller – Emmerdale)
ALISON'S WINNER:
Emmerdale: John Middleton (Ashley Thomas) – "The nuances John Middleton gave in his performance of dementia sufferer Ashley were incredible. A worthy winner."
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
EastEnders: Steve McFadden (Phil Mitchell)/Hollyoaks: Kieron Richardson (Ste Hay)
Also Nominated...
Coronation Street: Simon Gregson (Steve McDonald) Doctors: Ian Midlane (Dr Al Haskey)
British Soap Awards Best Single Episode Nominations (Last year’s winner was Doctors – The Heart of England)
ALISON'S WINNER:
Emmerdale: Ashley’s Point Of View – "The episode showing Ashley wandering lost, in the grip of dementia, was equally heartbreaking and innovative."
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
Coronation Street: Kylie’s Death
Also Nominated...
Doctors: A Christmas Carol EastEnders: Lee On The Edge Hollyoaks: What Is Consent?
British Soap Awards Best Storyline Nominations (Last year’s winner was Stacey’s Postpartum Psychosis – EastEnders)
ALISON'S WINNER:
Emmerdale: Ashley’s Dementia – "This is arguably the strongest ever storyline in soap history and it will be a very deserving winner."
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
Doctors: Rhiannon’s Second Chance
Also Nominated...
Coronation Street: The Grooming of Bethany EastEnders: Lee’s Mental Health Hollyoaks: Teenage Cancer
British Soap Awards Best Newcomer Nominations (Last year’s winner was Bonnie Langford – EastEnders)
ALISON'S WINNER:
Coronation Street: Rob Mallard (Dan Osbourne) – "In just six months, Rob Mallard has created a classic Corrie character in deeply flawed 'golden boy' Daniel Osbourne, and his understated, assured performance has been a joy to watch."
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
Emmerdale: Sally Dexter (Faith Dingle) – "It could have been easy for Sally to just make Faith a drunken lush, a gin-fuelled whirlwind, but fans have fallen in love with her and her harshness and vulnerability."
Also Nominated...
Doctors: Ritu Aryu (Dr Megan Sharma) EastEnders: Zack Morris (Keegan Baker) Hollyoaks: Duncan James (Ryan Knight)
British Soap Awards Best Comedy Performance Nominations (Last year’s winner was Patti Clare – Coronation Street)
ALISON'S WINNER:
EastEnders: Tameka Empson (Kim Fox-Hubbard) – "Tameka quite simply makes me laugh the most. She has great one-liners and delivers them with panache."
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
Coronation Street: Dolly-Rose Campbell (Gemma Winter)
Also Nominated...
Doctors: Elisabeth Dermot Walsh (Dr Zara Carmichael) Emmerdale: Dominic Brunt (Paddy Kirk) Hollyoaks: Nicole Barber Lane (Myra McQueen)
British Soap Awards Villain of the Year Nominations (Last year’s winner was Connor McIntyre – Coronation Street)
ALISON'S WINNER:
Coronation Street: Connor McIntyre (Pat Phelan) – "Connor to do the double after last year's honour. He's simply a great actor and the villain's villain!"
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
Emmerdale: Gillian Kearney (Emma Barton)
Also Nominated...
Doctors: Lucy-Jo Hudson (Rhiannon Davis) EastEnders: Jake Wood (Max Branning) Hollyoaks: Persephone Swales-Dawson (Nico Blake)
British Soap Awards Best Actress Nominations (Last year’s winner was Lacey Turner - EastEnders)
ALISON'S WINNER:
Coronation Street: Kym Marsh (Michelle Connor) – "Kym has been faultless as Michelle and her general popularity will see her win this year."
Who Alison thinks SHOULD win:
Emmerdale: Charlotte Bellamy (Laurel Thomas) – "Charlotte is such an underrated actress and she has literally kept her family together this year."
Also Nominated...
Coronation Street: Lucy Fallon (Bethany Platt) EastEnders: Lacey Turner (Stacey Fowler) Hollyoaks: Anna Passey (Sienna Blake)
British Soap Awards Best Actor Nominations (Last year’s winner was Danny Miller – Emmerdale)
ALISON'S WINNER:
Emmerdale: Danny Miller (Aaron Dingle)
Who Alison thinks SHOULD win:
Emmerdale: John Middleton (Ashley Thomas)
Also Nominated...
Coronation Street: Jack P Shepherd (David Platt) Hollyoaks: Jamie Lomas (Warren Fox) Hollyoaks: Gregory Finnegan (James Nightingale)
British Soap Awards Best British Soap Nominations (Last year’s winner was Emmerdale)
ALISON'S WINNER:
Emmerdale – "Emmerdale has already won the National TV Award and Bafta award for best soap and I can't see anything stopping it making a clean sweep. From the dementia storyline to James Barton's death, Rhona and Pierce and Robron, it's been an exceptional 12 months in the village."
Also Nominated...
Coronation Street Doctors EastEnders Hollyoaks
>> You can still vote to decide the winners of Best Soap, Best Actor and Best Actress HERE
The British Soap Awards will be screened live for the first time on ITV on Saturday, January 3rd.
