British Soap Awards is CANCELLED for the second year in a row due to the Covid pandemic as bosses vow the ceremony will return ‘when it’s safe to do so’
The 2021 British Soap Awards have been cancelled due to the Covid pandemic.
In a statement an ITV spokesperson confirmed the annual ceremony had been called off for the second year in a row due to ‘ongoing safety measures’ put in place for cast members during filming.
They said: ‘As a result of the pandemic, and following careful consideration of the ongoing safety measures in place for both drama productions and live events, ITV can confirm that the British Soap Awards will not take place this year.’
Called off! The 2021 British Soap Awards have been cancelled due to the Covid pandemic
Bosses have vowed that the ceremony will return in 2022 bigger and better then ever, adding: ‘We look forward to hosting the awards again, when it is safe to do so and honouring the actors and shows that are so close to viewers’ hearts.’
The Soap Awards were due to take place on ITV this summer after last year’s ceremony was cancelled due to the pandemic, replaced with TV special celebrating its 21st birthday.
It’s thought that the awards’ host Phillip Schofield and staff who work on the event were made aware of the news earlier on Thursday morning.
A source also told The Daily Star: ‘The British Soap Awards is the highlight of the year for everyone in the soaps. It’s a chance for everyone to celebrate the hard work they’ve put in throughout the year.
‘But everyone understands why this decision has been made and supports the organisers.’
The British soap industry has been forced to introduce stringent new filming measures to ensure programmes could still be broadcast during the pandemic.
All cast members have to adhere to strict social distancing measures, with clever editing and perspex screens used to hide the distance between actors.
There have been some exceptions, such as the absive Geoff Metcalfe’s demise on Coronation Street and Whitney and Kush’s smooch on EastEnders, when cast members have formed professional cohorts to record more intimate scenes.
In 2019 the cast of Hollyoaks celebrated as the TV show won the Best British Soap gong at the awards.
Picking up the coveted gong, the talented actors – including Stephanie Davis and Chelsee Healey – were visibly emotional as they celebrated their first Best British Soap Award win since 2014.
Hollyoaks matched Coronation Street with nominations, bagging an impressive 14 nods.
It was a successful night for the soap, which also saw actor Adam Woodward (Brody Hudson) win Best Male Dramatic Performance, Nathan Sussex (Buster Smith) win for Best Villain and Gregory Finnegan (James Nightingale) pick up Best Actor.
Coronation Street were the top winners on the night, picking up five awards.
The British Soap Awards 2019 saw Coronation Street’s suicide plot scooping two accolades – Best Single Episode and Best Storyline.