By Kate Thomas for MailOnline
Published: 15:06 BST, 9 April 2019 | Updated: 15:06 BST, 9 April 2019
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The British Soap Awards 2019 longlist has been revealed ahead of the big ceremony.
Fans can vote for their Best Actor and Best Actress, as well as the coveted Best Soap titles after the public voting for the first stage of nominations opened on Tuesday.
Noteworthy nods are Coronation Street's Bhavna Limbachia, whose character Rana Habeeb was written out of the ITV soap in a shock death scene, and Hollyoaks' Stephanie Davis, whose alter-ego Sinead Shelby has endured a tough rape storyline.
The British Soap Awards 2019 longlist has been revealed ahead of the big ceremony, with Coronation Street star Bhavna Limbachia receiving a nod
Speaking in an Instagram video, Stephanie - who returned to the soap last year after overcoming alcohol issues - said: 'I'm doing a video basically to say I've been nominated for Best Actress at the British Soap Awards and I can't believe it,
'I'm feeling really grateful right now. Those of you who have followed my journey will understand, from a year ago to now I cannot believe where I am and how far I've come.
'I'm back doing what I love. I'm happy and I'm acting again. And now I've been nominated for best actress.'
Meanwhile, Bhavna tweeted: 'Honoured and humbled to be nominated for Best Actress at this year’s @SoapAwards (sic)'.
Receiving a node: Stephanie Davis' alter-ego Sinead Shelby has endured a tough rape storyline
The first round of voting closes at 5pm on April 23 and the shortlists in each category will be revealed at 10m on April 30.
Soap loves will then have until 9pm on May 24 to cast their vote for their favourites as 15 are whittled down to five.
The Best Soap category remains at five choices for both stages of the voting.
The British Soap Awards' other categories, which include Best Storyline and Best Newcomer, will be determined by a panel of judges.
Bhavna's nomination comes as little surprise following her dramatic exit storyline last
