EastEnders legend Cheryl Fergsion slams the British Soap Awards in shock swipe – but gets hit by fan backlash
EASTENDERS legend Cheryl Fergsion has slammed the British Soap Awards.
However, after getting hit by fan backlash, the former soap star, 60, has been forced to make a video to “clear things up”.
In the aftermath of this year’s British Soap Awards nominees being announced, Cheryl, who played the iconic role of Heather Trott on the show for five years, was quick to share her thoughts.
Noticing that her former co-star Steve McFadden – who plays Phil Mitchell – was seemingly snubbed from the shortlist, Cheryl didn’t hold back.
“Are the Soap Awards having a laugh?” she said in a video uploaded to her Instagram page.
Cheryl added: “Steve McFadden has not even been put on the long list, let alone the short list, let alone winning it.
“I’m sorry, are people seeing what I’m seeing when I’m watching EastEnders?
“Everybody’s doing a fantastic job but why has Steve McFadden been overlooked for what is a crucial storyline, an essential storyline for the general public to be watching… by an actor who is playing it phenomenally.”
Cheryl then fumed: “I don’t get it, I’m sorry Soap Awards, you’ve done a real boo-boo here mate.”
Reacting to her video, one person bluntly said: “Cheryl, Steve has been put forward for other awards.”
Another slammed: “Ever thought he might be getting a special award???”
However, many agreed with Cheryl with one person writing: “Totally agree with you! I’m really shocked and disappointed that he is not being recognised!! His acting as been phenomenal throughout the mental health story line!”
After the backlash she received, Cheryl then shared another video addressing what she had said in the first clip.
“Hello everyone, so I’m getting a little bit of backlash … about the Soap Awards thing that I said.
“Okay, so, yes, I have won a Soap Award when I was in EastEnders, and I understand that the storyline [on Phil’s mental health] is current and maybe they decide these nominations or whatever for last year’s storyline.
Most devastating soap deaths
SOAP viewers are frequently left heartbroken after watching some of their favourite characters bite the dust.
Here is a list of the most devastating deaths that have taken place in soapland over the years.
EASTENDERS
Barry Evans – Evil Janine (Charlie Brooks) lured her trusting fiance to Scotland for a quickie marriage after learning he was dying.
Her plan to inherit Barry’s fortune was thwarted when Barry told her that the doctors had mixed up his medical files.
Furious that she was no longer set for a windfall, she pushed Barry off a cliff after telling him their love was “fake”.
Bradley Branning – Bradley was accused of killing Stacey Slater’s rapist Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb) after he punched him twice on the night he died.
He was spotted in the Square by a police woman who chased him up a fire escape.
Bradley lost his balance and tragically plunged to his death.
CORONATION STREET
Tina McIntyre – Tina was getting it on with Peter Barlow – despite him being married to Carla Connor.
When she threatened to reveal the truth, Carla’s brother Rob got into a physical altercation with her.
Tina lost her footing and fell off a balcony – then warned Rob she was going to tell the cops he pushed her.
In a panic, Rob brutally clobbered her over the head with a metal pipe.
Molly Dobbs – Molly was one of the victims in Corrie’s 2010 tram crash, alongside Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold).
Married to Tyrone (Alan Halsall), Molly had been having an affair with Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) in the months before her death.
This resulted in the birth of their son, Jack (Kyran Bowes), who was named after Jack Duckworth.
As fate would have it, Kevin’s wife Sally (Sally Dynevor) was by Molly’s side in her final moments.
Sally was stunned as Molly confessed Kevin was Jack’s father, before dying of her injuries.
Vera Duckworth – Having appeared regularly in Corrie since the 1970s, there was no denying Vera Duckworth was an iconic character.
Alongside her husband Jack, the pair formed one of the soap’s most beloved couples.
Viewers were heartbroken when Vera was killed off in 2008, being discovered having passed away peacefully in her chair.
Liz Dawn, who played Vera, made a brief return two years later for Bill Tarmey’s exit as Jack.
Paul Foreman – Fans were heartbroken when Paul Foreman succumbed to his illness after battling motor neurone disease.
Introduced in 2018 as David Platt’s (Jack P. Shepherd) cellmate, he later embarked on a romance – and marriage – with vicar Billy Mayhew.
The MND storyline was announced in 2023 – with the expectation it would result in the character’s death.
EMMERDALE
Sarah Sugden – After the family got into financial problems, Sarah’s son Andy (Kelvin Fletcher) decided to make some quick cash from an insurance company by setting fire to the Sugden barn.
He didn’t realise his mum was inside the building, and she got trapped in the blaze.
Nine villagers – The shocking 1993 plane crash episode brought in 18 million viewers for Emmerdale.
Mark Hughes was killed by a falling wall, Archie Brooks was burned by jet fuel, Elizabeth Pollard was killed by debris and newcomer Leonard Kempinski died in a car crash caused by the crash.
Five other non-recurring characters from the village also died.
HOLLYOAKS
Carmel McQueen – The talented singer died in shocking scenes when a train crashed into a her family’s car.
Carmel managed to free her cousin Theresa from the rubble – but got stuck in it herself.
Moments later the train exploded and Carmel died in the arms of her family members, promising to be their guardian angel.
“But I don’t think that it makes the public aware of the timescale that they are voting for.
“So, if it is for storylines that are from last year, then they should let people know,” she went on.
Cheryl then said how she does not think that it is fair that the public are asked to vote for this year’s Soap Awards with last year’s storylines.
“Trying to clear this up a bit so don’t shoot me down please,” she captioned the video.
Reacting to Cheryl’s video, one person penned: “Yeah, I agree with u Cheryl and know what u mean.”
A second then said: “It certainly makes sense Cheryl, yet they still should have made that clear it was counting last years.”
While a third penned: “Totally agree with you @cherylfergison1 I just really hope at some point in the future Steve wins an award he deserves it he has been incredible.
“It must’ve been amazing working with him. And not gonna lie, say it a lot. I really miss you in EastEnders.“