Host confirmed as British Soap Awards return after mysterious disappearance last year

Calli Kitson

Published February 28, 2025 9:47am Updated February 28, 2025 9:48am

TV presenter and all-round icon Jane McDonald will return to host this year’s British Soap Awards.

The ceremony, which is broadcasted on ITV, celebrates the wonderful world of soapland, from the drama in Emmerdale right through to chaos on the cobbles.

Last year, the British Soap Awards didn’t air, but it was confirmed at the time that the show would 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’, a statement read.

Now, it’s been confirmed Jane will be back behind the presenting podium, as soap stars gather to reflect on the past year, and collect well-earned awards.

‘The soaps are as popular as ever and currently delivering some brilliant must see TV so fans can expect a night to remember when The British Soap Awards returns’, a source told The Sun.

‘The British Soap Awards were hugely missed by everyone last year, it’s the biggest night in the soap calendar so there’s great excitement it’s back.’

Jane McDonald replaced Phillip Schofield as presenter, following his decision to quit ITV.

In autumn of 2024, he returned to our screens, but on a show called Cast Away.

The Channel 5 show was billed as Schofield’s big comeback after he resigned from This Morning and other ITV projects in 2023, after he admitted to lying about an affair with a younger colleague.

The show saw Phillip live alone on an island, completely fending for himself. He also was in control of the cameras, which gave him the opportunity to talk about the end of his presenting career.

ITV Palooza 2022 – Arrivals — Jane replaced Phillip Schofield as presenter (Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Schofield’s re-entry into the TV industry also failed to set viewers alight, with Cast Away losing a staggering third of its audience between the first and third episode.

The final night drew in the three-parter’s lowest ratings of 988,000 viewers, a drop from 1.1million the previous night and shy of the 1.1m benchmark for the slot, according to Broadcast.