British Soap Awards 2015: Date and time confirmed

After months of speculation, the biggest night in soap has finally been confirmed.

ITV has announced that the 2015 British Soap Awards will be broadcast on Thursday, May 21 at 8pm in a two-hour timeslot with the actual pre-recorded event taking place on Saturday, May 16.

Manchester's Palace Theatre is the venue of choice for the annual ceremony, which honours talented small screen stars.

The winner of the Best Actor and Best Actress categories is determined by a 50:50 split between the viewer votes and judge votes and other categories include Lifetime Achievement, Best Exit, Best On-Screen Partnership.

Coronation Street, Doctors, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks will go head-to head for the coveted Best British soap.

Phillip Schofield, who will be returning for hosting duties, has promised fans an incredible night.

"What a year it's been in soap land, we've had some brilliant storylines and acting that's absolutely kept the nation gripped," he said. "It's my 10th anniversary as host of The British Soap Awards this year so I'm really looking forward to an incredible night that's sure to be one to remember"

Fans can vote for favourite stars in the viewer voted categories via the British Soap Awards website.

The full shortlist of nominations follows below:

VIEWER VOTED CATEGORY

Best British Soap

Coronation Street

Doctors

EastEnders

Emmerdale

Hollyoaks

VIEWER AND PANEL-VOTED CATEGORIES

Best Actor

Simon Gregson (Steve McDonald, Coronation Street)

David Neilson (Roy Cropper, Coronation Street)

Danny Dyer (Mick Carter, EastEnders)

Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale, EastEnders)

Michael Parr (Ross Barton, Emmerdale)

Best Actress

Alison King (Carla Connor, Coronation Street)

Kellie Bright (Linda Carter, EastEnders)

Laurie Brett (Jane Beale, EastEnders)

Natalie Anderson (Alicia Metcalfe, Emmerdale)

Nikki Sanderson (Maxine Minniver, Hollyoaks)

PANEL-VOTED CATEGORIES

Villain of the Year

Sean Ward (Callum Logan, Coronation Street)

Daniel Schutzmann (Franc Christophe, Doctors)

John Altman (Nick Cotton, EastEnders)

Ryan Hawley (Robert Sugden, Emmerdale)

Jeremy Sheffield (Patrick Blake, Hollyoaks)

Best Comedy Performance

Sally Dynevor (Sally Webster, Coronation Street)

Sarah Moyle (Valerie Pitman, Doctors)

Tameka Empson (Kim Fox-Hubbard, EastEnders)

Laura Norton (Kerry Wyatt, Emmerdale)

Fabrizio Santino (David 'Ziggy' Roscoe, Hollyoaks)

Best Newcomer

Sean Ward (Callum Logan, Coronation Street)

Jessica Regan (Niamh Donoghue, Doctors)

Davood Ghadami (Kush Kazemi, EastEnders)

Ryan Hawley (Robert Sugden, Emmerdale)

Twinnie-Lee Moore (Porsche McQueen, Hollyoaks)

Best Storyline

Steve and Michelle - Hearts And Minds (Coronation Street)

Kevin and Poppy - Underage Girlfriend (Doctors)

Who Killed Lucy? (EastEnders)

Donna's Demise (Emmerdale)

John Paul's Rape Ordeal (Hollyoaks)

Best Single Episode

Rob's confession (Coronation Street)

'Unfinished Business' (Doctors)

Episode 5020 - Live Episode (EastEnders)

Andy goes to the brink (Emmerdale)

Ste's HIV diagnosis (Hollyoaks)

Best Dramatic Performance

Simon Gregson (Steve McDonald, Coronation Street)

Lorna Laidlaw (Mrs Tembe, Doctors)

Kellie Bright (Linda Carter, EastEnders)

Natalie Anderson (Alicia Metcalfe, Emmerdale)

Keith Rice (Finn O'Connor, Hollyoaks)

Best On-Screen Partnership

Sally Dynevor and Joe Duttine (Sally Webster and Tim Metcalfe, Coronation Street)

Ian Midlane and Jessica Regan (Al Haskey and Niamh Donoghue, Doctors)

Laurie Brett and Adam Woodyatt (Jane and Ian Beale, EastEnders)

Verity Rushworth and Michael Parr (Donna Windsor and Ross Barton, Emmerdale)

Ellis Hollins and Ruby O'Donnell (Tom Cunningham and Peri Lomax, Hollyoaks)

Best Young Performance

Ellie Leach (Faye Windass, Coronation Street)

Jack Carroll (Peter Harker, Doctors)

Eliot Carrington (Bobby Beale, EastEnders)

Amelia Flanagan (April Windsor, Emmerdale)

Ruby O'Donnell (Peri Lomax, Hollyoaks)

Scene of the Year

Deirdre throws the trifle (Coronation Street)

Strictly dancing (Doctors)

Kathy comes home (EastEnders)

Donna's goodbye (Emmerdale)

The train crash (Hollyoaks)