They now have less fan-voted awards, as the Sexiest Male/Female Awards were scrapped.

(can't say I'm sorry, the same people won over and over, and I have no desire to see Jorgie Porter or whoever would replace Tancake Face Keegan).

They have been replaced by more "issue" based awards, which scares me, as I have a feeling some horror like Maxine's disastrous domestic violence story (which basically tells women never to expect anything better in life) will win.

http://www.britishsoapawards.tv/vote/

My votes ended up going - Natalie Anderson (I would have voted for Verity Rushworth but she hasn't been on since summer and Natalie has a better chance given her recent story)

Danny Miller (as I do think he's much improved this time around and this is likely the closest Ryan Hawley will get to winning unless that huge bore Charlie Cotton or wooden Donna on EE or some HO random doesn't win)

Emmerdale (EE will win but I don't care).

Edited March 30, 201510 yr by DRW50

Is John Stevenson still with us?

According to Corriepedia, he last wrote for the show in 2006 (he had a hiatus from 2000-2002 though).

2006 was right around the time Corrie started to tank (and the 2000-2001 era is not regarded highly), so I guess he must have been very influential during his long association with the show.

Looking at the 2005 winners, I love that our dear Suranne Jones won Best Actress for 2 out of her 4 years on Corrie. Karen really was one of the the last times they had a character that left at her absolute peak in popularity (in fact, she was long gone by the 2005 ceremony).

Shortlist.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a644158/eastenders-tops-british-soap-awards-2015-shortlist.html

Nominations announced. Vote for Emmerdale or the terrorists win.

List of nominations: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a644158/eastenders-tops-british-soap-awards-2015-shortlist.html

Vote for Best Soap (Emmerdale), Actor (Michael Parr), & Actress (Natalie Anderson) - http://www.britishsoapawards.tv/

Taking out all Doctors nominations since I don't watch, here are my rankings of best to worst potential winners:

Best British Soap

Emmerdale

EastEnders
Coronation Street
Hollyoaks

VIEWER AND PANEL-VOTED CATEGORIES

Best Actor

Michael Parr (Ross Barton, Emmerdale)

Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale, EastEnders)

David Neilson (Roy Cropper, Coronation Street)
Simon Gregson (Steve McDonald, Coronation Street)
Danny Dyer (Mick Carter, EastEnders)

Best Actress

Natalie Anderson (Alicia Metcalfe, Emmerdale)
Alison King (Carla Connor, Coronation Street)

Laurie Brett (Jane Beale, EastEnders)
Kellie Bright (Linda Carter, EastEnders)

Nikki Sanderson (Maxine Minniver, Hollyoaks)

PANEL-VOTED CATEGORIES

Villain of the Year

Ryan Hawley (Robert Sugden, Emmerdale)

John Altman (Nick Cotton, EastEnders)

Jeremy Sheffield (Patrick Blake, Hollyoaks)
Sean Ward (Callum Logan, Coronation Street)

Best Comedy Performance

Laura Norton (Kerry Wyatt, Emmerdale)
Sally Dynevor (Sally Webster, Coronation Street)

Fabrizio Santino (David 'Ziggy' Roscoe, Hollyoaks)
Tameka Empson (Kim Fox-Hubbard, EastEnders)

Best Newcomer

Ryan Hawley (Robert Sugden, Emmerdale)

Davood Ghadami (Kush Kazemi, EastEnders)

Twinnie-Lee Moore (Porsche McQueen, Hollyoaks)
Sean Ward (Callum Logan, Coronation Street)

Best Storyline

Donna's Demise (Emmerdale)

Who Killed Lucy? (EastEnders)
Steve and Michelle - Hearts And Minds (Coronation Street)
John Paul's Rape Ordeal (Hollyoaks)

Best Single Episode

Andy goes to the brink (Emmerdale)

Episode 5020 - Live Episode (EastEnders)
Rob's confession (Coronation Street)
Ste's HIV diagnosis (Hollyoaks)

Best Dramatic Performance

Natalie Anderson (Alicia Metcalfe, Emmerdale)

Keith Rice (Finn O'Connor, Hollyoaks)
Simon Gregson (Steve McDonald, Coronation Street)
Kellie Bright (Linda Carter, EastEnders)

Best On-Screen Partnership

Verity Rushworth and Michael Parr (Donna Windsor and Ross Barton, Emmerdale)
Sally Dynevor and Joe Duttine (Sally Webster and Tim Metcalfe, Coronation Street)

Ellis Hollins and Ruby O'Donnell (Tom Cunningham and Peri Lomax, Hollyoaks)
Laurie Brett and Adam Woodyatt (Jane and Ian Beale, EastEnders)

Best Young Performance
Ellie Leach (Faye Windass, Coronation Street)

Ruby O'Donnell (Peri Lomax, Hollyoaks)

Amelia Flanagan (April Windsor, Emmerdale)
Eliot Carrington (Bobby Beale, EastEnders)

Scene of the Year

Donna's goodbye (Emmerdale)

Kathy comes home (EastEnders)
Deirdre throws the trifle (Coronation Street)
The train crash (Hollyoaks)

Edited April 27, 201510 yr by Bright Eyes

You're cute with all those Emmerdale predictions, Mikey.

You're cute with all those Emmerdale predictions, Mikey.

They aren't predictions. I'm well aware Emmerdale will be lucky to get even one award. But if these awards were true to the actual best, Emmerdale would fly supreme, no question.

Most of of it is fan voted, so it's never going to be a fair or accurate award show. I almost feel like everything should be panel-based, but obviously, that has it's fair share of issues as well.

Hollyoaks has won more BSA's than Emmerdale, that's kind of sad. The Emmerdale audience just doesn't get out or care to vote for these awards for the most part.

Also, ITV seems to do a better job of promoting Corrie for votes than Ememrdale for whatever reason.

Yes, it's sad Emmerdale doesn't get the recognition it deserves, but like with all other award shows I care about, I don't mind living in my pipe dream world when the winners I prefer lose. I mean, I'm pretty sure I'm the only person who thinks Kristen Dunst should have won Oscars for her portrayals in ALL GOOD THINGS and MELANCHOLIA, and she wasn't even nominated.

Also, I don't understand why they got rid of the Best Exit category. Seems odd.

Edited April 27, 201510 yr by Bright Eyes

If Deirdre Throws The Trifle wins Best Scene then that's obviously a sentimental choice and I wouldn't be too cut up about it.

I agree with you about Dunst in All Good Things, Bright Eyes. I've never been a fan of hers at all but thought she was really excellent in that. Hopefully with The Jinx phenomena more people will check out the film now.

Edited April 27, 201510 yr by TimWil

A recap of the winners can be found in the article below. Don't read if you don't want to be spoiled, obviously...

2015 British Soap Award Winners Recap

Edited May 16, 201510 yr by BetterForgotten

Not impressed about Emmerdale being shut out. At least they won something for Donna's exit story.

The only thing I really care about seeing is the Anne Kirkbride tribute. Very happy they posthumously gave her the Lifetime Achievement award. Sometimes I still can't believe she's no longer with us.

Not all that surprised or impressed, but it could have been worse.

Best Soap - Eastenders

I think we all knew it was down to EE or Corrie. HO won last year but between the shift to half-panel votes and the falloff in fan enthusiasm, I think we knew a repeat wasn’t likely.

I would have gone for Emmerdale, but I knew that wasn’t happening. So of the two likely winners, EE did deserve it more for some decent moments and a strong live week. The show itself is not good, but truth be told, none of the soaps are in a great place.

Best Actor - Adam Woodyatt

I’m thrilled for Adam. I voted for Michael Parr, who was also phenomenal this year in a wide variety of scenes, but I cannot complain about this. I had assumed Danny Dyer would win because he’s Danny Dyer, and after his recent blather about Corrie, I would have been annoyed.

Adam has always been an unsung hero for EE, steadfastly loyal while playing a character often written as a joke and a hate figure. Can you imagine how many actors would put up with repeatedly getting their head put in a toilet bowl? His performance in the live episode was one of the best I can remember on a soap. Well done.

Best Actress - Kellie Bright

I was hoping for Natalie Anderson, but I knew it would likely be between Kellie and the always wonderful Alison King. I think Kellie’s a good, solid actress. I think the poor level of writing for the Carter family and the extremely poor level of writing for the rape storyline did not warrant a single award, but I realize this was for Kellie, not for the writing itself.

Villain - Jeremy Sheffield

I’ve only seen Patrick Blake a few times; I avoid HO “social issue” storylines at all costs, as they tend to be offensive and dangerous in recent years. I would have rather Ryan Hawley won this (less because I see Robert as a big villain as because I wanted him to win an award) or a sentimental goodbye to John Altman for his years as Nasty Nick (and he really did put in some good work again at the end), but Patrick seems popular, so I can’t say they’re wrong.

Comedy Performance - Sally Dyvenor

I would have gone for Laura Norton as I truly do think she’s an unsung heroine for ED in both comedy and drama, but Sally is terrific, always top-notch at making people laugh and making what is often an unlikeable character human, somehow.

Newcomer - Jessica Regan

This one disappointed me the most along with Dramatic Performance, because I really really wanted Ryan Hawley to win. I didn’t expect him to win, and I think if I had it would have rattled me more (as I was rattled when Danny Miller wasn’t shortlisted), but I hoped he would. He more than deserved it, and being honest, I don’t even really expect him to be on ED at this time next year; even if he is, I’m not sure he will be up for any nominations next year, unless he gets another Villain nod. I don’t watch The Doctors, but I imagine the cast and crew work very hard and deserve recognition.

Best Story - Who Killed Lucy?

I would have given this to ED for Donna’s death, as outside of select episodes I don’t think this story was worthy of any writing recognition (it felt extremely clumsy and has had little to no impact on the canvas), but we all knew this was going to win.

Best Single Episode - EE Live

I can’t really disagree with this one. A wonderful achievement, minus the risible Dean/Mick/Nancy portions.

Dramatic Performance - Kellie Bright

The BSA often doubles up these types of awards, but I still felt extremely let down. I was really hoping Natalie Anderson would win. The Lachlan rape storyline has had a lot of problems, but at least I can say Alicia has been in a central role, with a wide range of emotion and material. Kellie is a good actress, but most of Linda’s scenes in this terrible story amounted to staring into space, looking depressed. None of this story has ever been about Linda. It’s about Mick, Shirley, Dean, Nancy - Shrimpy the stall extra gets more of a role than Linda generally got in this. EE did not deserve to get a single panel-voted award for this atrocious failure of a storyline.

On-Screen Partnership - Laurie Brett and Adam Woodyatt

As an extension of Live Week, I’m OK with this. Otherwise, I wish Sally/Tim from Corrie or Ross/Donna from ED had won. Laurie and Adam have their best days as a couple behind them. Ian and Jane are stale, unpleasant viewing, recycling the same stories that were bad enough 5 years ago (the obsession with getting a baby to “fix” their lives, the same old prostitute follies, etc.)

Young Performance - Amelia Flanagan

Thrilled for Amelia. She mostly gets attention (and criticism) for “bratty” scenes, but she is also at home in dramatic, poignant material. She’s been put in the middle of some harrowing scenes with Donna’s death and Laurel’s alcoholism, the latter being scenes I’m not even entirely sure a child should be involved in. She’s a real star and I’m proud of her.

Scene of the Year - Donna’s goodbye

There seems to be some confusion over which scene from this story actually won, but whatever it was, I’m so pleased for Verity Rushworth. Donna was always something of a wet noodle of a character the first time around; Verity’s brief return showed how much she’d grown as an actress and exactly what Donna could have been. The story was heartbreaking and everything a soap should be. Verity deserved the recognition for the 10-15 years she gave to ED. I miss her more than ever after this award.

All in all, it was a night I can’t say I’m surprised by - the awards are generally not right, and any time they are right feel like course correction. At least no one ridiculous won, as in the years that certain EE and Corrie actors I won’t name collected acting awards like popularity prizes.

I’d say better luck next year, but I’m not that deluded...

Edited May 17, 201510 yr by DRW50

Knowing I have to be happy with crumbs, at least the Donna story won something. If only Ryan Hawley could have won newcomer.

Kellie Bright winning one, let alone two awards, was sad. Woodyat/Metcalfe, after being nominated against Tim/Sally and Ross/Donna is just complete poppycock. And as much as I love Kerry, I have never done such a 180 on a character like I have Sally. She is the best thing about Corrie. And she's married to Emmerdale director Tim Dynevor, so my Emmerdale heart will happily allow it.

You could tell some of the cast really wanted him to win. I know they had to give The Doctors something, but it just sucks that he didn't get anything, especially since some fans have a weird personal hatred for him and playing a villain he likely doesn't get tons of fan support when he goes out...

I'm always curious to know who hooked up with who following the after party, especially when it's someone from EastEnders hooking up with, say, someone from Coronation Street or Emmerdale. The imagination can run a bit wild. Of course it's a known fact a large portion of the Hollyoaks cast are the most "fun loving," if you know what I mean.