THE BRITISH SOAP AWARDS 2022: Shortlist nominations for this year’s June ceremony have been revealed

The shortlist nominations for this year’s British Soap Awards have been revealed. 

Returning live to ITV for the first time in two years owing to the pandemic, the awards will honour the nation’s biggest and most-loved soap operas. 

The ceremony, slated for next month, will celebrate the past twelve months in soap land, where Meena Jutla’s (Paige Sandhu) murderous rampages in Emmerdale will battle it out against Coronation Street’s hate crimes for Best Storyline. 

THE BRITISH SOAP AWARDS 2022: Shortlist nominations see Meena’s murderous rampages in Emmerdale (left) battle against Corrie’s hate crimes (Harry Visioni as Seb Franklin and Millie Gibson as Kelly Neelan pictured right) as the ceremony returns after two years

It was an unforgettable year in Albert Square, as Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) made her comeback after seven years. 

Over in Weatherfield, Seb Franklin (Harry Visinoni) died of injuries sustained in an horrific hate crime. 

Developments in Hollyoaks saw Summer Ranger (Rhiannon Clements) set out to destroy Brody Hudson (Adam Woodward) for his role in her father’s death. 

In the Dales, Meena left a trail of murder and mayhem, while Rob Hollins (Chris Walker) and his wife Karen’s (Jan Pearson) relationship was left in the balance in Doctors. 

Upcoming: Returning live to ITV for the first time in two years owing to the pandemic, the awards, slated for June, will honour the nation’s biggest and most-loved soap operas (Charlie Brooks pictured as Janine Butcher in EastEnders, December 2021)

The five biggest soaps – Coronation Street, Doctors, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks – will be going head-to-head to win recognition for their work over the past year. 

With host Phillip Schofield at the helm, the live awards will be presented by an array of well-known faces from across the TV and showbiz world.

There are 14 awards voted for either by the public or a panel of expert judges. 

Battling it out: The five biggest soaps – Coronation Street, Doctors, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks (pictured) – will be going head-to-head to win recognition for their work over the past year

Best British Soap, Leader Performer and Family will be the three viewer voted categories, while the remaining eleven winners will be elected by a panel of industry professionals. 

The ceremony’s anticipated return comes after the 2020 and 2021 ceremonies were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

In its place in 2020, ITV instead aired a 60-minute special titled The British Soap Awards Celebrates 21 Years, narrated by long-running presenter Phillip.

Reprising: With host Phillip Schofield (pictured at the 2019 awards) at the helm once again, the live awards will be presented by an array of well-known faces from across the TV and showbiz world