UPDATE: |The British Soap Awards 2025 nominations receive backlash over ‘disgraceful decision’ News

The first batch of nominations were released ahead of the May ceremony

The British Soap Awards 2025 nominations have received backlash from fans over what they called a ‘disgraceful decision’ in one category.

Revealing the first set of nominations on Monday (April 7), voting has opened to the public ahead of next month’s ceremony.

Soap fanatics will get to pick the winners in the Best Leading Performer, Best Comedy Performance, Best Villain and Best British Soap categories.

The category that has sparked the most conversation online is the longlist of 16 stars in the prestigious Best Leading Performer category.

While Corrie’s Jack P Shepherd, EastEnders’ Lacey Turner and Emmerdale’s Danny Miller were all nominated, the omission of Steve McFadden has raised eyebrows.

It’s been a pivotal year for Phil Mitchell on EastEnders, with the BBC soap exploring his mental health issues, with Steve receiving plenty of plaudits for his performances over the past 12 months.

Many fans took to X, previously known as Twitter, to question why the beloved actor didn’t even make the longlist.

@eds_afterglow said: “I’m shocked, Steve McFadden was snubbed, he absolutely smashed the mh storyline, he raised awareness of depression and psychosis in men & acted his socks off, he deserved to be nominated for best leading performer #eastenders #thesoapawards.”

@PositivityWho wrote: “Can’t believe #SteveMcfadden #Eastenders didn’t get nominated. Absolutely disgraceful decision. The #PhilMitchell mental health story was beautifully written and acted. Steve deserves awards for his acting.” @RIVCRAS added: “Steve McFadden I am so sorry.”

@darlenesunwin commented: “I know some of you are annoyed that Steve McFadden hasn’t been nominated for best leading performer, but can’t we be happy for lacey , kellie , diane and angela all four powerful women who are fantastic well deserved nominees #EastEnders.” @Jenny_shaw88 posted: “Where is Steve McFadden? He has been one of the best this year!!!”

All four of the big soaps will battle it out in the Best British Soap category, while Best Comedy Performance and Best Villain feature one choice from each soap.

Below are the nominations…

Best Leading Performer

Channique Sterling-Brown (Dee-Dee Bailey, Coronation Street)

Alison King (Carla Connor, Coronation Street)

Jack P Shepherd (David Platt, Coronation Street)

Charlotte Jordan (Daisy Midgeley, Coronation Street)

Diane Parish (Denise Fox, EastEnders)

Angela Wynter (Yolande Trueman, EastEnders)

Lacey Turner (Stacey Slater, EastEnders)

Kellie Bright (Linda Carter, EastEnders)

Mark Charnock (Marlon Dingle, Emmerdale)

Danny Miller (Aaron Dingle, Emmerdale)

Beth Cordingly (Ruby Fox-Miligan, Emmerdale)

Eden Taylor-Draper (Belle Dingle, Emmerdale)

Kieron Richardson (Ste Hay, Hollyoaks)

Nadine Mulkerrin (Cleo McQueen, Hollyoaks)

Isabelle Smith (Frankie Osborne, Hollyoaks)

Jennifer Metcalfe (Mercedes McQueen, Hollyoaks)

Villain of the Year

Calum Lill (Joel Deering, Coronation Street)

Navin Chowdhry (Nish Panesar, EastEnders)

Ned Porteous (Joe Tate, Emmerdale)

Tyler Conti (Abe Fielding, Hollyoaks)

Best Comedy Performance

Jack P Shepherd (David Platt, Coronation Street)

Patsy Palmer (Bianca Jackson, EastEnders)

Nicola Wheeler (Nicola King, Emmerdale)

Nicole Barber-Lane (Myra McQueen, Hollyoaks)

Best British Soap

Coronation Street

EastEnders

Emmerdale

Hollyoaks

Fans who wish to vote can head over to the British Soap Awards website now to have their say, with the vote closing on April 25 at 5pm.

The Best Leading Performer category will then be reduced to four choices, with the next round of voting taking place between May 1 and May 30.

The remaining categories will be picked by a panel of judges, with the nominations to be announced at a later time.

Taking place at the Hackney Empire in London on May 31, The British Soap Awards 2025 will be hosted by Jane McDonald and air in June on ITV1.