Jane McDonald has spoken of her 'excitement' after being announced as this year's host of the British Soap Awards. It comes as the singer and TV presenter has been chosen to replace regular ceremony host Philip Schofield - following his affair confession last week.
Taking to her Instagram account earlier today (June 1), the 60-year-old shared the news with her 205,000 followers. "I'm so excited to be this years host for The British Soap Awards!!" She wrote.
"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. I can’t wait to see all our wonderful soap nominees and celebrate all their hard work with them - roll on the awards, I can’t wait!"
The event is set to take place Tuesday (June 6) on ITV and ITVX at 8pm inside The Lowry in Salford. The deadline for viewers to send in their votes is tomorrow (June 2) at 5pm.
The likes of Coronation Street, Doctors, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks are all going head to head in hopes of winning a gong for a number of categories - including Best British Soap. Numerous actors are also in the running to be announced as Best Villain, Best Leading Performer and Best Young Performer.
Philip has been hosting the awards since 2006. However, after admitting to having an affair with a younger colleague and hiding it - while still with his wife Stephanie Lowe - he has been cut as host of the ceremony, on top of being dropped by ITV and his talent agency.
In a statement last week, Philip said: "I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning. Contrary to speculation, whilst I met the man when he was a teenager and was asked to help him to get into television, it was only after he started to work on the show that it became more than just a friendship. That relationship was unwise, but not illegal. It is now over.
"I have therefore decided to step down from the British Soap Awards, my last public commitment, and am resigning from ITV with immediate effect expressing my immense gratitude to them for all the amazing opportunities that they have given me. I will reflect on my very bad judgement in both participating in the relationship and then lying about it."
Speaking to the Mirror, an ITV spokesperson added: "We are deeply disappointed by the admissions of deceit made tonight by Phillip Schofield. The relationships we have with those we work with are based on trust.
"Philip made assurances to us which he now acknowledges were untrue and we feel badly let down. We accept his resignation from ITV and therefore can confirm that he will not be appearing on ITV as had previously been stated."
ITV has since called in a barrister to do an external investigation into Phillip's statement and departure.
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