Corriedale Fans Furious as ITV Cancels British Soap Awards for 2026
ITV has announced that the British Soap Awards will not take place this year, leaving fans of popular shows like EastEnders and Emmerdale deeply disappointed. The annual ceremony, which has been a staple of the British awards season since 1999, celebrates small-screen favourites and provides stars and crew from long-running soaps a chance to unwind and receive recognition.
History of the Awards and Recent Cancellations
The British Soap Awards were paused for two years during the pandemic before returning in 2023. However, bosses pulled the event in 2024, only to bring it back in 2025. Now, ITV has confirmed it will not air in 2026. A statement from the network read: "The British Soap Awards is taking a break and won’t be on air in 2026." It remains uncertain whether the event will return in 2027.
Fan Backlash Over Corriedale Recognition
Fans have expressed their sadness at the announcement, particularly because it follows ITV's landmark Corriedale stunt, which saw its two flagship soaps, Coronation Street and Emmerdale, cross over for the first time in an explosive episode. On social media platform X, one fan wrote: "Such a shame! I'm gutted as there'll be no recognition for Corriedale." Another added: "It makes no sense at all for them to do this. They would have swept the awards between Corriedale and Emmerdale, they would’ve won so many." A third commented: "It seems a real shame not to celebrate the actors across the soaps in some capacity, even if it had to be smaller in scale."
Traditional Format and Recent Winners
The British Soap Awards traditionally feature actors from shows like EastEnders, Coronation Street, Emmerdale, and Hollyoaks competing for acting accolades, culminating in the biggest prize of the night: Best British Soap. In 2025, the EastEnders cast took the top prize back to Albert Square after an action-packed year marking the BBC show's 40th anniversary.
Venue Changes and Hosting Shifts
After being held in London for a decade, the event began alternating between venues in the capital and Manchester in the early 2010s. This year's bash was due to take place in Manchester. In 2023, bosses were forced to find a new host when longtime presenter Philip Schofield stepped back from all ITV commitments after admitting to an affair with a younger This Morning colleague. Channel 5 favourite Jane McDonald stepped in, hosting the event in 2023 and 2025.
The cancellation has sparked widespread frustration among soap enthusiasts, who feel that the Corriedale crossover deserved accolades and that the awards serve as an important celebration of the genre's talent and hard work.
