British Soap Awards nominations revealed as event returns after two years off

The big four UK soaps logos. (BBC/C4/ITV)
The big four UK soaps are up for awards. (BBC/C4/ITV)

The British Soap Awards has announced its nominations shortlist for the first ceremony back after two years off over the pandemic.

Soapland's glitzy awards evening will return this June for the first time since 2019 and the shortlist features tough competition between the shows over categories including Villain of the Year and Best Storyline.

Read more: Why Corrie's Jacob Hay is soapland's next great anti-hero

Baddies up for the villain award include Emmerdale serial killer Meena Jutla (Paige Sandhu), EastEnders murderer Gray Atkins (Toby-Alexander Smith) and Coronation Street killer and court liar Corey Brent (Maximus Evans).

Paige Sandhu as Meena Jutla in court
Paige Sandhu features in the nominations for her Emmerdale role as Meena Jutla. (ITV)

There are also some memorable storylines in the running for awards, including Corrie's hate crime murder of Seb Franklin (Harry Visinoni) by Corey, Emmerdale's Meena murder spree, Jean Slater's (Gillian Wright) bipolar battle in EastEnders, and a historic rape storyline involving Misbah Maalik (Harvey Virdi) in Hollyoaks.

Nods for the ceremony also include recognition of Marlon Dingle's (Mark Charnock) recent stroke storyline in Emmerdale which has been nominated for best single episode, and Charnock for best dramatic performance.

Read more: Emmerdale's Emile John praises 'bravery' of racism storyline

The Emmerdale bridge collapse which saw David Metcalfe (Matthew Wolfenden) and Victoria Sugden (Isabel Hodgins) left dangling from ropes in a dramatic stunt shoot has been nominated for best scene.

Coronation Street, Doctors, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks are all up for Best British Soap, a viewer-voted category along with Best Leading Performer and Best Family.

Toby-Alexander Smith as Gray Atkins hiding behind a fence
Toby-Alexander Smith is up for Villain of the Year as EastEnders' Gray Atkins. (BBC)

All other categories are panel-voted and include Villain of the Year, Best Comedy Performer, Best Newcomer, Best Storyline, Best Single Episode, Best Dramatic Performance, Best On-Screen Partnership, Best Young Performer and Scene of the Year.

Recipients of the Outstanding Achievement Award and the Tony Warren Award are set to be announced on the night.

The ceremony usually takes turns being hosted in either London or Manchester and for its post-COVID return will be in London at the Hackney Empire, hosted by Phillip Schofield.

ITV will air the ceremony live when it takes place in June.

For the full list of nominees and how to vote, go to www.britishsoapawards.tv.

Watch: Channel 4 enjoys success at TV BAFTAs amid uncertainty over its future