The British Soap Awards will not air on ITV next year but is penned to return in 2025, it's been announced.
Each year soap fans look forward to the annual event in which the likes of EastEnders, Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks and Doctors are celebrated for their previous year of output.
This year was a new-look ceremony for soap fans following long-serving host Phillip Schofield's departure from ITV.
Singer Jane McDonald took the reins instead, but won't be receiving the call to reprise the role in 2024.
Confirming the news, an ITV spokesperson told GB News: "The British Soap Awards won't be on air in 2024 but is set to return in 2025.
"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."
Phillip Schofield used to regularly present the awards do
GETTY
EastEnders was the big winner at this year's do, bagging Best Soap, and its stars Danielle Harold and Aaron Thiara won Best Leading Performer and Best Villain respectively for their roles.
News of the British Soap Awards 2024 being canned will come as a major blow to fans of one soap, in particular, following the news it would be ending this year.
BBC decided to axe Doctors after 23 years on the air with its final episodes set to air towards the end of 2024, meaning it'll miss out on bagging any awards during its last year on the air.
However, Doctors may still be able to earn a few nods when the 2025 ceremony rolls around but that remains to be seen.
Who will host the 2025 ceremony also remains unknown after ITV bosses had to scramble to replace Schofield in the weeks prior to this year's do.
Schofield admitted to an "unwise but not illegal" relationship with a young runner during his time on This Morning.
The TV presenter decided to step down from ITV as a whole following the scandal after admitting to keeping the relationship a secret from bosses.
After being drafted in as a replacement, McDonald didn't mention Schofield's departure and instead focussed on her own excitement at bagging the role.
She said at the time: "Oh my god…..everyone knows how much I LOVE my soaps, this year I’ve been honoured to be mentioned in Corrie, EastEnders and Emmerdale, so this is just a dream come true."
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Jane McDonald stepped in to present the 2023 awards
ITV
Schofield's long-serving This Morning co-host Holly Willoughby also quit the show this year in yet another presenting blow to ITV.
Willoughby penned in an Instagram statement back in October: "I have let ITV know today that after 14 years, I will not be returning to This Morning.
"It's been an honour to just be part of its story and I know this story has many chapters left to go. Sadly, however, I now feel I have to make this decision for me and my family.
"I will miss you all so much," she signed off.
News of her This Morning departure came days after a 36-year-old man was charged over an alleged plot to kidnap and murder the presenter.
