The anticipation is reaching fever pitch as the final shortlist for the Inside Soap Awards 2025 has officially been unveiled.

With just days to go before the glittering ceremony on 29 September, the stage is set for one of the most dramatic nights in the television calendar.

Fans, actors, and industry insiders alike are bracing themselves for an evening where the very best of British soapland will be honored, celebrated, and immortalized.

The Inside Soap Awards have long been the heartbeat of the genre, and this year’s edition promises to be one of the most competitive and emotional in recent memory. After months of voting, nail-biting campaigns, and fan-fueled debates, the final lineup of contenders is nothing short of explosive.

Over 80,000 Fans Have Spoken

Since July, more than 80,000 Inside Soap readers have had their say, casting votes for their favorite stars, storylines, and unforgettable moments. Each ballot carried weight, as devoted fans fought fiercely to ensure their soap heroes and heroines made the coveted shortlist. From seasoned legends to breakout newcomers, the range of nominees highlights the breadth of talent and storytelling brilliance that has defined 2025.

Categories span across fan-favorite titles such as Best Villain, Best Family, Best Partnership, Best Showstopper, and Best Young Performer, ensuring that every corner of soapland gets its moment in the spotlight.

But the biggest question still remains: Which soap will reign supreme this year?

Battle for Best Soap

While the shortlists in other categories are now locked, the most prestigious award of the night—Best Soap—remains wide open. Fans still have until the night of 29 September to cast their votes and decide whether it will be Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale, or Hollyoaks that takes home the crown.

Each soap enters the race with a powerful arsenal of storylines that have gripped the nation:

• Coronation Street has captivated viewers with the runaway success of “Swarla”, the pairing that nobody saw coming but everybody is now talking about.
• EastEnders tugged at heartstrings with Martin’s tragic farewell, a storyline that left fans reaching for tissues week after week.
• Emmerdale plunged audiences into darkness with John Sugden’s reign of terror, a chilling saga that pushed characters—and fans—to their limits.
• Hollyoaks, never one to shy away from shock twists, resurrected villainous Clare Devine, sending shockwaves through the village and sparking months of debate.

The competition is tighter than ever, and with fan passion running high, the Best Soap race promises to go down to the wire.

New Honors and Special Tributes

Adding even more excitement to this year’s ceremony, the Soap Superstar of 2025 award will be introduced for the very first time. Designed to recognize an actor whose performance has transcended the screen, this accolade will highlight a talent who has defined the genre in 2025 and cemented their status as a household name.

In addition, two Outstanding Achievement Awards will be presented. One will honor an individual whose career has left an indelible mark on the soap world, while the other will shine a spotlight on an entire creative team, applauding their vision, innovation, and storytelling prowess. These special tributes ensure the evening won’t just be about competition, but also about gratitude and recognition for those who have shaped the genre’s enduring legacy.

The Year of Shocks and Surprises

Reflecting on the shortlist, Sarah Ellis, editor of Inside Soap magazine, perfectly captured the mood:

“2025 has been a year full of shocks and surprises in the world of soap; from John Sugden’s reign of terror in Emmerdale and Martin’s tragic goodbye in EastEnders, to villainous Clare Devine’s return from the dead in Hollyoaks, and the runaway success of ‘Swarla’ in Coronation Street. But which of our top nominees will be taking home the trophies on the big night?”

Her words echo the sentiments of fans across the country who have been swept up in this year’s extraordinary storylines. Indeed, 2025 has delivered a rollercoaster of emotions—from heart-wrenching departures and shocking resurrections to unlikely romances and jaw-dropping betrayals.

Spotlight on the Categories

While the Best Soap award may dominate the headlines, the other categories are no less thrilling. Best Villain is shaping up to be a particularly fierce contest, with multiple actors delivering chilling performances that blurred the line between fiction and reality. Best Family will honor the clans that have kept households glued to their screens, while Best Partnership celebrates the duos—romantic or otherwise—whose chemistry has captivated fans.

And of course, the Best Showstopper category promises to recognize the single most unforgettable moment of the year—a twist, reveal, or climax that had viewers gasping in unison. For many fans, these moments are what define soap, embedding themselves in television history.

A Night of Glamour and Emotion

Beyond the competition, the Inside Soap Awards are also about celebration. On 29 September, the red carpet will roll out, and the biggest names in British soap will gather under one roof for an evening of glamour, camaraderie, and emotional triumphs. Expect heartfelt speeches, surprise appearances, and perhaps even a few unscripted shocks.

As the countdown continues, speculation is running wild. Who will deliver the most emotional acceptance speech? Which soap will claim the top prize? And who will emerge as the inaugural Soap Superstar of 2025?

The Fans Hold the Power

Ultimately, the Inside Soap Awards remain a fan-driven event, and that’s what makes them so unique. The power rests firmly in the hands of the viewers—the very people who tune in night after night, who debate storylines passionately on social media, and who invest deeply in the lives of their favorite characters.

Their votes don’t just crown winners; they shape history, etching the names of actors and storylines into the annals of soap tradition.

The Final Countdown

With less than a week to go, excitement is at boiling point. The shortlists have been confirmed, the speculation is rampant, and the stage is set for what promises to be a landmark night in soap history. Whether it’s Corrie’s gripping romance, EastEnders’ heartbreaking goodbye, Emmerdale’s chilling villainy, or Hollyoaks’ shocking resurrection, one thing is certain: the 2025 Inside Soap Awards will be unforgettable.

So, as the final votes pour in and the stars prepare for the spotlight, soap fans everywhere are left with one burning question: Who will triumph when the curtain rises on the Inside Soap Awards 2025?