ITV has delivered a significant disappointment to devoted followers of Britain's most beloved soap operas by confirming the cancellation of the British Soap Awards for the year 2026. This decision marks another pause for the prestigious annual ceremony, which honours exceptional performances, compelling storylines, and behind-the-scenes excellence across the nation's top television dramas.
A Beloved Celebration on Hold
The British Soap Awards represent a highly anticipated fixture in the entertainment calendar, providing a glittering platform to recognise outstanding contributions from actors, writers, and production teams. A spokesperson for the event explicitly stated to the Radio Times, 'The British Soap Awards is taking a break and won't be on air in 2026.' This announcement follows a previous hiatus in 2024, with the show last broadcast in 2025.
Strong Performance Despite the Break
Interestingly, the decision comes despite the programme's recent success. The spokesperson highlighted, 'The show was fantastically received in 2023, achieving consolidated figures of 2.9 million and doubling its audience year on year, so we look forward to the show’s return.' This robust viewership underscores the awards' popularity and the keen anticipation surrounding them each year.
Context Within a Successful Period for ITV
The cancellation arrives during a notably prosperous phase for ITV's programming. The network recently celebrated its most successful streaming month ever, recording an astonishing 383 million streams in January. Kevin Lygo, ITV's Managing Director of Media and Entertainment, attributed this milestone partly to the enduring appeal of British soaps, telling the Metro, 'The combination of a brilliant drama offering, two of our biggest brands - Coronation Street and Emmerdale, alongside our most popular show for 16-34s, have come together to deliver its biggest ever month.'
Lygo further emphasised, '2026 is packed full of exciting new content and it's fantastic to kick start the year with this milestone.' This context makes the awards' absence particularly poignant for fans, especially following standout events like the groundbreaking 'Corrriedale' crossover between Emmerdale and Coronation Street, which captivated 5.9 million viewers in January.
The Host and Recent Winners
Since 2023, the British Soap Awards have been hosted by Scottish presenter Jane McDonald, who took over following Philip Schofield's departure amid controversy. McDonald expressed her enthusiasm for the role, stating, 'You all know I love my soaps, so to be in a room giving recognition to all these wonderful actors and their fantastic hard work is simply joyous. I can't wait to get my glittery frock on and celebrate with everyone.'
Reflecting on recent ceremonies, the 2025 awards proved a triumphant night for EastEnders, which secured eight awards. Hollyoaks followed with three, Emmerdale with two, and Coronation Street with a single honour. Notable wins included Best Episode for 'Phil's Psychosis: The Mitchells In 1985,' Scene of the Year for Angie Watts' shock return, and Navin Chowdhry's Best Villain award for his portrayal of Nish Panesar. Emmerdale's Amelia Flanagan won Best Young Performer, while Coronation Street's David Neilson received the Outstanding Achievement Award for his three-decade role as Roy Cropper.
Looking Ahead
While the 2026 cancellation is undoubtedly a setback for soap enthusiasts, ITV's commitment to future content and the awards' proven popularity suggest a potential return. Fans will now await further announcements, hoping for the event's revival to once again celebrate the vibrant world of British soap operas.
