Bonnie Langford and Ricky Champ are among the soap stars to have thanked fans after they were nominated for National Television Awards (NTAs).
The former ‘EastEnders’ actress has been given a nod in the Serial Drama Performance category for her role as Carmel Kazemi, who she played for three years, and she is "honoured" to have been put up for the accolade ahead of the ceremony on January 22 at London’s O2 Arena.
She wrote on Twitter: "Such an honour. Thanks for voting xx (sic)"
Bonnie will go up against fellow ‘EastEnders’ star Danny Dyer (Mick Carter), Coronation Street’s Jack P Shepherd (David Platt), and ‘Emmerdale’ pair Emma Atkins (Charity Dingle) and Lucy Pargeter (Chas Dingle), who has appealed to fans to help her find a dress for the night.
She tweeted: "Right then you lovely lot !!! I’ve been made it to the short list for @OfficialNTAs !!!!… I’m not asking for votes as I all know you will vote for who you want , not if I beg …. but I need a dress ….. ideas or designers out there, suggestions please (sic)"
Bonnie’s former co-star Ricky – who plays Stuart Highway in Walford – was delighted to receive an NTA nod in the Newcomer category.
He wrote: "How lovely this this though!! Very proud indeed. Swing by and cast a vote if you feel the need! (sic)"
Ricky will face off against ‘Hollyoaks’ actor Aedan Duckworth (Ollie Morgan), ‘Corrie’ actress Alexandra Mardell (Emma Brooker), Emmerdale’s James Moore (Ryan Stocks), and ‘Casualty’ star Neet Mohan (Dr Rashid ‘Rash’ Masum).
What’s more, the Big Four in Soapland, ‘Coronation Street’, ‘EastEnders’, ‘Emmerdale’ and ‘Hollyoaks’ will battle it out for the Serial Drama gong.
Lucy Fallon took home the Serial Drama Performance accolade last year for her portrayal of Bethany Platt in ‘Corrie’, but it was ‘Emmerdale’ who won the Serial Drama prize.