'Emmerdale' leads BSA 2010 nominations

[dutchman]

ITV's rural soap Emmerdale has received the most shortlist nominations for this year's British Soap Awards.

The shortlist comprises the standard 15 nominations per eligible UK soap - Coronation Street, Doctors, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks - in the usual viewer-voted categories: 'Sexiest Male', 'Sexiest Female', 'Villain of the Year', 'Best Actor' and 'Best Actress'.

Each show is also automatically nominated for the elusive 'Best Soap' trophy.

While the public vote determines the result of six awards, winners in the remaining 11 categories - which include 'Best Dramatic Performance', 'Best Storyline' and 'Best Newcomer' - are decided by a panel.

From the 36 nominations, Emmerdale appears in each of the nine categories. Coronation Street and EastEnders, meanwhile, notched up eight apiece. Doctors secured six, while Hollyoaks has five.

This year, Hollyoaks notably failed to receive nominations in the 'Best Storyline' and 'Best Single Episode' categories, while Coronation Street has no candidate in the 'Best Newcomer' stakes, last year won by Craig Gazey (Graeme Proctor).

Winners of the 'Lifetime Achievement' and 'Special Achievement' awards are also discussed by the panel.

The twelfth annual British Soap Awards ceremony takes place on Saturday and will transmit on Wednesday, May 19 on ITV1.