Chronicle EditorThe nominations for the 2015 British Soap Awards have been revealed, with “EastEnders” looking to triumph in the battle of the soaps this year.
The BBC soap leads the nods with 14 nominations, while ITV rival “Coronation Street” is close behind with 13 chances at a prize.
While the shortlist for the prestigious Outstanding Achievement Award has yet to be confirmed, insiders claim Corrie’s Anne Kirkbride, who died in January, will receive the prize posthumously with the actress also in the running for the Scene of the Year award.
“EastEnders” and “Coronation Street” both have two nominees in the Best Actor category with Albert Square’s Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale) and Danny Dyer (Mick Carter) up for the prize against Corrie veterans Simon Gregson (Steve McDonald) and David Neilson (Roy Cropper), as well as Michael Parr, who plays Ross Barton in “Emmerdale”.
The Best Actress category – which, like Best Actor, is determined by a 50/50 split of viewer and judge votes, also sees a double nomination for “EastEnders” with Kellie Bright (Linda Carter) and Laurie Brett (Jane Beale) competing for the gong.
Laurie and Adam Woodyatt also receive recognition in the Best On-screen Partnership category thanks to their scenes during the “Who Killed Lucy Beale” plot, which has also netted “EastEnders” a Best Storyline nod.
“Emmerdale’s” Natalie Anderson (Alicia Metcalfe) is also up for the Best Actress award, while the ITV soap has received 12 nominations overall.
Channel 4’s “Hollyoaks” is in the running for 11 prizes, while daytime favourite “Doctors” has scooped 10 nominations.
“Hollyoak’s” Twinnie-Lee Moore (Porsche McQueen) is one of five up for the Best Newcomer prize, competing against Sean Ward, who plays Callum in “Corrie”.
Philip Schofield will host this year’s ceremony from Manchester’s Palace Theatre on May 16.
Viewer voting is now open for the Best Actor and Best Actress prizes, along with Best British Soap, which is judged entirely by the public.
Shortlists for Outstanding Achievement, Outstanding Achievement: Off Screen and the Social Impact Award have not been revealed but will be announced on the night.
However, it has been claimed the late Anne Kirkbride, who played Deirdre in “Coronation Street” for 42 years, is in the running for the Outstanding Achievement gong.
A source has told The Sun newspaper: “We couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of this award than Anne and that is why we decided to nominate her.
“She was a real Street legend who is still very sorely missed and everyone on the show would love to see her contribution celebrated.
“If she were to win, it would be completely unprecedented, as the bosses have never given this award to any actor posthumously.”
“ITV know that. But they felt that Anne played such a big part in Corrie for so many years that she deserved to have the rules broken for her.”
Anne died aged 60 in January following a battle with breast cancer.
The beloved actress first arrived on Weatherfield’s cobbles as a fresh-faced 18-year-old in 1972 and had her fair share of dramatic storylines over the years, including Deidre’s torrid affair with Mike Baldwin and being jailed for fraud.
Anne has already received one nomination thanks to her trifle throwing moment, the last time viewers saw Deirdre on screen, which is up for Scene of the Year along with Kathy’s (Gillian Taylforth) return to “EastEnders’ and the dramatic train crash in “Hollyoaks”.
Anne has also been nominated for Scene of the Year thanks to her dramatic last appearance in “Coronation Street” last October. – dailymail.co.uk
Online Reporter