What a tumultuous year it’s been in Soapland...

The shocking deaths (Tom King, Pauline Fowler, Charlie Stubbs), the diabolical affairs (Max and Stacey, Andy Sugden and Jo and, er, Liz McDonald and Derek), the twisted little storylines (David Platt’s sex bribes and Hollyoak’s Clare trying to drown Max spring to mind)...

The word 'soap' is far too gentle a term for the demented drama of the past 12 months.

And now it’s time to recognise the actors and actresses who give life to these plotlines with the UK soap ‘Oscars’ – the 2007 British Soap Awards.

Hosted by Fern Britton and Phillip Schofield, the awards will be held once again at BBC’s Television Centre in west London. And all the stars from the Britain's five biggest soaps – Coronation Street, Doctors, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks – will lend their glamour to the dazzle of the paparazzi camera flashes.

It’s the ninth year the British Soap Awards have honoured the country’s most popular TV programmes. There are 17 awards in categories voted either by a panel of judges, or by the public. And while EastEnders dominated in 2006, winning Best Soap, Best Actor, Best Actress and Sexiest Female, Casualty’s win at the recent Baftas suggests the awards are wide open this year,

The British Soap Awards are held on Saturday, May 26. ITV1 will screen the ceremony on Wednesday, May 30, at 8pm, with the legendary after-party being broadcast later that evening on ITV2 at 11pm.

But if you can’t wait to see the action until then, log on to whatsontv.co.uk on Saturday night. We’ll have video of the purple carpet style, the results and interviews with the winners as they happen!

Voting has closed in most of the public categories (Sexiest Male, Sexiest Female, Villain of the Year, Best Actor and Best Actress), although you can still vote to decide which show wins Best Soap.