The Inside Soap Awards are back with a bang — and this year, they’re turning up the drama! After a six-year break, the Best Exit category has made a triumphant return, thanks to a wave of jaw-dropping departures that have kept fans glued to their screens.
From EastEnders to Emmerdale, Coronation Street to Hollyoaks, it’s been a wild 12 months in soapland — and the 2025 nominations reflect every bit of that chaos.
One of the most talked-about exits? James Bye, whose EastEnders character Martin Fowler was shockingly killed off during the show’s explosive 40th anniversary week. He’s now battling for the coveted Best Exit award… against his on-screen love Natalie Cassidy (Sonia Fowler) — who also left the show this year, but lived to tell the tale.
Over in Weatherfield, Coronation Street’s Colson Smith (Craig Tinker) and Charlotte Jordan (Daisy Midgeley) have both said emotional goodbyes. Emmerdale’s Natalie Ann Jamieson and Roxy Shahidi, and Hollyoaks faves Nikki Sanderson and Tyler Conti, are also in the running — making this category one of the tightest races in years.
And it doesn’t stop there.
Craig’s gruesome Corrie death is also up for Best Showstopper, going head-to-head with moments like EastEnders’ shocking Angie Watts return, Emmerdale’s chaotic limo crash, and Hollyoaks’ chilling Clare Devine resurrection.
On the acting front, icons like Steve McFadden (Phil Mitchell), Jack P Shepherd (David Platt), and Jeff Hordley (Cain Dingle) are in a three-way face-off for Best Actor, while Lacey Turner, Michelle Collins, Emma Atkins, and Jennifer Metcalfe are in fierce contention for Best Actress.
But it’s not just the heavyweights taking the spotlight. Newcomers, comic geniuses, villains, and young talents all have their moment to shine. And with over 90,000 soap fans voting each year, you decide who takes home the gold.
Inside Soap editor Sarah Ellis summed it up perfectly:
“The past 12 months have been an epic time in soap, and I can’t wait to see who the readers of Inside Soap have decided to crown their favourites this year.”
The 2025 Inside Soap Awards ceremony takes place in London this September — and with so many explosive moments, emotional goodbyes, and iconic comebacks on the list, this year’s event promises to be a soap lover’s dream.
