Bradford actors Chris Fountain and Jennifer Metcalfe have been shortlisted for the hottest categories in this year’s British Soap Awards.

The final shortlists for the soap world’s most glamorous event have been announced, following viewer voting which began last month.

The most popular nominees in each category have been put through to the final stage and voting has re-opened, with winners being announced at a glittering ceremony in May.

Chris Fountain, who plays Tommy Duckworth in Coronation Street, is nominated for Sexiest Male and Jennifer Metcalfe, who plays feisty Mercedes McQueen in Hollyoaks, is up for Sexiest Female.

Chris is up against fellow Coronation Street actor Keith Duffy, who plays Ciaran McCarthy; Scott Maslen, alias Jack Branning in EastEnders; and Danny Miller, Emmerdale’s Aaron Livesy.

Jennifer will battle it out with last year’s winner Michelle Keegan and Alison King, alias Tina McIntrye and Carla Connor in Coronation Street and Rita Simons, who plays Roxy Mitchell in EastEnders.

Chris, 22, of Wibsey, started acting in Buttershaw St Paul’s Amateur Dramatic Society and joined Hollyoaks aged 15, playing Justin Burton.

In 2008 he was runner-up on ITV’s Dancing on Ice.

Jennifer, 27, of Holme Wood, has also been a Dancing on Ice contestant but was voted off this year’s series after suffering a knee injury.

The actress, who is reported to be romantically involved with her professional skating partner, Frenchman Sylvian Longchambon, attended Scala Kids theatre school in Horsforth.

  • Read the full story in Thursday's T&A