There seems to be a lot of discussion on here about "good and bad" characters in each soap (hence it being a soap forum) - I thought it might be an idea to create a thread just seeing if there were any trends in current favourites in each show? Preferably with reasons to create some discussion.

Eastenders:

Favourite Male- Jay Mitchell
In my opinion a hugely underrated actor who can deliver some of the best scenes in a very subtle manner. I don't feel as though he has been used to his full potential for years, and am crying out for him to be utilised and have his own storyline- thigh preferably not being charged with the Lucy murder and potentially leaving the show. So many characters that could have been excellent are now leaving or have left (Aleks and the more recently announced departure) and I would hate for Jay to go the same way.

Least Favourite Male- Phil Mitchell
A controversial decision but the character simply bores me. His constant oneupmanship over everyone is depressing, it just doesn't interest me in the slightest. The way he treats people and seems to think he can get away with it (Shirley/Sharon/Abi/Jay) I just really dislike the character. Though I must confess the writing for him previously when Marsden arrived to make the arrest was good.

Favourite Female- Denise Fox
Again another character that can handle any storyline. Whilst she features often it is not in nearly enough scenes in my opinion and she needs a bigger storyline to herself. Diane Parish has proven she can handle some truly great scenes but she seems to never receive any and I think she would knock them out of the park.

Least Favourite Female-
I find it hard to pinpoint one but would probably now go with Jane Beale. I find her actions on good Friday unjustifiable and really cannot warm to her character. I used to really like her but simply cannot warm to her anymore. Such an awful storyline conclusion and unbelievable.

EE:

fav Male: Phil Mitchell

Fav Female: Denise Fox - I always love her

Least fav male: Les coker
Least fav female: Cindy

Hollyaoks

Favourite male- Trevor Royal
I find him so funny and since they have given him a bit of a soft side, there are some really funny scenes with him and Grace.

Least favourite male- Scott Drinkwell
Well, I don't think that much needs to be said here. He has to be one of the worst castings in history. The mahognany glow, white teeth and camp strut are enough to annoy you before he even opens his mouth!

Favourite female- Grace Black
I really struggled with this one. Seeing as the soap is in such dire straits at the moment, I had to chose Grace. Her and Trevor's comedy is so hilarious at times. Most of the other female characters are hard to like currently as they are nut cases or bed hoppers.

Least favourite female(s)- Diane O'Connor, Frankie Osbourne, Leela Lomax
Diane is such a hypocrite that you have to laugh. She is also a spiteful cow.
Frankie is also another spiteful cow and interfering witch.
Leela Lomax is so shouty, that I have to turn my TV down because her voice goes through me!

EE

Favourite male: Tamwar Masood. He's always been a good and nice person and is not horrible to anyone. He is also funny. I love his relationship with Nancy too.
Favourite female: Denise Fox. She's funny, normally nice to everyone (unless they don't deserve it) and played by a great actress

Least favourite male: Ben Mitchell. He's just not very nice. Misunderstood maybe but that's no excuse
Least favourite female: Abi Branning. Don't think that needs explaining

Emmerdale:

Favourite male: definitely Cain. There's just a lot to Cain, I love how they refer to his messed up background, and I love his family relationships with Zak and Belle, him and Charity are fabulous exes. Wish they wrote his relationship with Moira better, but mainly he's ace, a sarcastic and edgy presence when I need one. The scene where he beat up Robert recently was just incredible.

Least favourite male: It's got to be Aaron. I'm just so fed up of him and his weeping and behaving like the world revolves around him. He drove me away from Emmerdale last time, and I honestly wish he'd bog off.

Favourite female: Much trickier - depends on the storylines they're given. At the moment, I'd day Alicia, she's been fantastic, but she's on her way out. I could say Charity, who was brilliant with Declan, and is a class act, but I think this prison baby stuff is a bit rubbish. I might go for Chrissie at the moment, she's really come into her own, and I hope we see her take her revenge on Robert and Aaron.

Least favourite female: Tracy. I just have no idea what she's for really. She scammed cash off a man with learning disabilities, how low can you go? I know we're supposed to have forgotten, but she's just horrible and pointless. The actress isn't very good. Stunt fodder, hopefully.

I only watch Emmerdale.

Favourite male character is Ross. So many layers and the actor is fantastic at everything he does - emotional and grief, comedy (hilarious!), angry and violent, playing with April. He's extremely hot too but that's not the point ... I don't think Emmerdale will hang on to him for long.

Least: Wow that's difficult actually! They have a good male cast. I'll go with David. I just don't like the character and the way he treated Priya ("Actually, Alicia doesn't want me so I'll keep having sex with you - get you pregnant, and marry you - oh wait,. hang on, I love her so I'll dump you the day before the wedding, but, you know, still have my kid because Alicia can't have them"). Also, how could you go abroad and leave your baby daughter like that? Bizarre. Very out of character for Alicia to expect him to as well.

Fave female: Charity. She's amazing.

Least: EASY. Debbie. Cannot stand her - so moody, selfish and arrogant. You never see her having any fun, doing anything nice for anybody, playing with her kids (someone else usually has them) And there's no way she'd bin her life with Pete (who has taken on her kids, her moods, plus her baby brother!) after a few dirty bunk ups with Ross. She NEVER gets her comeuppance either for the vile things she does. And she's in every episode with her scowls and her moaning and her superior attitude.

CORRIE:-

Favourite male:
Has to be Roy...He has progressed from being something of a weirdo to become one of the most complex, interesting & likeable characters on TV!! Brilliantly portrayed bu David Neilson!! His relationship with Hayley will forever be one of Corrie's crowning glories!! Other likes: Ty, Luke, Tim, Jason, Kirky, Craig, David

Least favourite male:
The truly dreadful Callum... The most unconvincing soap 'villain' in history!!
Other dislikes: Todd..can't see the point of him



Favourite female:- No contest here, the lovely Maria... Sweet natured, slghtly naive, vulnerable, feisty when she meeds to be & above all normal, a character I can relate to who reminds me of many lovely female friends I've had over the years!! Add to that she's drop dead gorgeous & played to perfection by an actress who is not only one of the most beautiful women on the planet but comes across as a genuinely lovely person as well!! Bit of a fan I am!!
Other likes: Audrey, Leanne, Steph, Sinead


Least favourite female:- The vile Tracy Barlow...One dimensional to the nth degree!! I can never buy her 'change of character' simply because she's been vile & rotten for way too long now to suddenly change! I'd happily see the character squashed under a tram tomorroe, or better still sent back to prison to serve out he rest of her lfe sentence, eith a few years added on for all the other vile stufg she's done!! Not much of a fan!!
Other dislikes: Liz McMutton, Andrea & current Sarah

Eastenders:

Fav female...Shirley and Denise (can't choose)
Fav male...Mick

Least fav female....Jane
Least fav male....Ben (and Paul)

Hollyoaks

Favourite Male :- Darren Osbourne
For such a long term character I feel Darren still gets used well and remains lovable. Other long term characters start to become characatures of themselves after a while but Darren remains a loyal friend to Maxine.
Runners up :- Lockie Campbell, Trevor Royale

Favourite Female :- Porche McQueen
For a new character joining the biggest family in the soaps history, she has had an amazing entrance to the show with fantastic acting. Her current storyline makes you feel genuine sympathy and even when she's being a bitch to Lockie you know it's all because of her emotions to Reenie and Pete.
Runners Up :- Grace Black, Sienna Blake

Least Favourite Male :- Freddie Roscoe
The facial expressions, the nastiness to everyone, the u loyalty to his brothers, the lack of remorse for murder, the fact he's just a massive c u next Tuesday really!
Runners Up :- Scott Whatshisname

Least Favourite Female :- Nico Blake
As well as being the worst actor on the show, the character is also such a nasty piece of work, and not even in an interesting way like her mother or grandfather.
Runners up :- Tegan Lomax, Lindsay Butterfield

EastEnders:

Fav male: Probably Jay or Vincent.
Fav female: Either MyCindy or McBeale the absolute sociopath.

Least fav male: Paul.
Least fav female: The Shirley Creature, or Sharon 'acting abilities' Mitchell.

EE

Fave Male: None! None of them really appeal. Probably Kush at a push.
Least Fave: Paul/Dean

Fave Female: Sharon Watts, Legend
Least Fave Female: Bratty Cindy

EE
fave male, Mick, hes very lovable sweet family man whos devoted to his wife and kids
least fave male, Paul Coker, annoying selfish brat

fave female Ronnie, she kicks but
Least fave female, Abi Branning, the Meg Griffin of EE

CS
fave male, Roy, hes just lovely
least fave male Callam, I'v seen scarier villians on care bear show

fave Female the legend that is Sally Webster
least fave female Bethany can her and her mum just sod off back to Italy please.

ED
fave male, Aaron, always had a soft spot for him, and hes a good actor
least fave male Marlon, hes just always irritated me, and Laurie

Fave female, Charity, needs no explanation, shes great
Least fave female, dullard Vanessa.

HO
fave male, Probably Dirk, he seems the only nice guy on it
least fave male everyone else

fave female, none of them
least fave female, all of them, Sinead prob the most though

I haven't watched Corrie in ages but least favourites were Carla/Sally (equal) and Todd (from his first stint, but going by spoilers he's got worse)
Favourites - not sure - probably Roy and Eileen (when she was on the switch )

Emmerdale - least, least, least favourites Ross/Robert (equal ) and Debbie . The others I don't like are new and won't be around for too long.
Favourites - Marlon ♥ and Diane ☼

Emmerdale Male Robert such a twisted up Character played brilliantly by Ryan . Female- Val So funny will miss her.

Eastenders Male Vincent- So to learn about him but I'm enjoying him. Female- Carol love Lindsey Will miss her when she goes.


Corrie Male - Tim so funny to watch Love him and Sally. Female- Leanne Such a great character love Jane Danson too.

Least Favorite Emmerdale Male Marlon Female Chas. Eastenders Male Ian Female Jane . Corrie Male Callum Female Fiz

Emmerdale:

Favourite Male: This would have been easy a year ago (when Robbie was still alive ) so I will go for Finn Barton. Lovely young man who I would like to see more of.

Favourite Female: Alicia Metcalfe - just the nicest character in the village played by a talented actress, I will miss her when she leaves.

Least Favourite Male: Robert Sugden - Just a vile excuse for a human being.

Least Favourite Female: Vanessa Woodfield - Major plot device character who has no personality.

EE:

Fave male: Masood. Just a really really good character played by a brilliant actor.
Fave female: Denise. So underrated and needs her own storyline!

Least fave male: Paul. UGH go away or get some dress sense.
Least fave female: Abi. Horrible, whiny, malicious cow.

HO:

Fave male: Trevor
Fave female: Grace

Least fave male: Freddie, Scott, Jason, Tom, Cameron, Robbie, John-Paul, Ste (joint worst)
Least fave female: Lindsey, Kim, Sienna, Leela, Diane, Peri, Sinead (joint worst)

I watch Eastenders and Corrie, so I'd say

Eastenders:
Favourite male - Max. I've always loved Max and his current downward spiral makes a change from "Max the shagger". I'll really miss him when he goes on his break but think it's probably needed.

Least favourite male - Dean. Partly because of the way they have taken the character but mainly because Matt Di Angelo isn't up to the job

Favourite female - Linda. I hated her when she first arrived but now love our flawed landlady. She's human and Kellie Bright is a great actress. There were a lot more candidates for fave female as the show has some great talent at the moment.

Least favourite female - Cindy. I don't dislike her to the point of wanting her axed but don't think Mimi Keene is as good as the praise heaped upon her would suggest. I also find it very hard to care about the character.

Coronation Street:

Favourite male - Tim. What makes me like him is the complete U-Turn I've made on the character - he came in as a useless dad and is now a fantastic support to demon child Faye and a brilliant comedy character with Sally.

Least favourite male - Sean. One dimensional character played by an actor who can't act.

Favourite female - Leanne. This was a tricky one and normally I'd say Carla or Kylie before Leanne but now she's rid of the dreadful Kal we're finally getting to see more of Jane Danson's brilliant acting. I am always rooting for her, a great character.

Least favourite female - Mary. Terrible character, not remotely funny with a painful, stilted delivery that drags down every scene she's in. Number one on my axe list, even before Sean.

EastEnders

Favourite Male- Phil. My all time favourite male character
Favourite Female- Stacey. My all time favourite

Least favourite Males- Paul, Ben and Vincent. Can't pick just one but the less said about them the better!
Least favourite Female- I'll have to go with Abi but I don't really hate any.

Emmerdale

Favourite male - Robert (He's perfection! )
Favourite female - Charity

Least favourite male - James
Least favourite female - Ali

Coronation Street

Favourite male - David
Favourite female - Carla

Least favourite male - Tie between Callum & Sean
Least favourite female - Tie between Sinead & Fiz

Eastenders

Favourite male - Ben
Favourite female - Between Stacey, Kat & Ronnie

Least favourite male - Lee
Least favourite female - Donna

EastEnders

Favourite female: Kathy Beale
Favourite male: Buster Briggs

Least favourite female: Shirley Carter
Least favourite male: Charlie Cotton

Emmerdale:

Favourite male : Ross Barton (in spite of being dragged down by the Debbie/Charity nonsense lately)

Least favourite male: Marlon Dingle. If the producers show some nerve by killing off a Dingle (hopefully) in the August disaster, make it him!!

Favourite female: Alicia Metcalfe; couldn't stand her when she first showed up; she was such a stroppy cow. But she became likeable as time went by. A pity that Natalie Anderson is leaving.

Least favourite female: A tie between Debbie Dingle ( couldn't agree more with RadicalNature's reasons) and her mum, Charity.

Emmerdale:
Favorite Male: Aarron, he was the reason I started watching the show, I think he is a very complex well written character and also very well portrayed by Danny Miller

Favorite Female: Drunk Laurel, she has been the best thing on Emmerdale this year, from punching Marlon (which was long over due), hooking up with the guy at the hotel and coming between Ashley and Harriet she's been must see tv!

Least Favorite Male: Jai, if you looked up douche bag in the dictionary you'd find Jai's picture right beside it. This man has no redeeming qualities and it blows my mind that Leyla wants this man so bad.

Least Favorite Female: Debbie, this story with Ross has dragged to a new low, she has loving caring Pete at home who is willing to play Mr Mom to not only her to kids but youngest brother as well, wants nothing more than to make her happy and she goes off and has daily smash sessions with his brother in the garage

Coronation Street

Favorite Male: David, much like Aaron on Emmerdale David is a very complex character that's always entertaining to watch, only thing I wish he'd go psycho again and take care of Callum once and for all.

Favorite Female: Tracy, I loved Tracy's affair with Tony this year and I thought she was great in those scenes with Ken and Peter after Deidre's funeral but even just the smaller stuff like her scenes with Amy or shade she throw's Liz's way Tracy is always keeping things interesting on the street.

Least Favorite Male: Simon, I hate the way he's been treating Leane, I just wish she'd beat that little punks ass once good time and I think he'd start acting like the 2 year old trapped in a 12 year old's body that he used to be.

Least Favorite Female: Allyia her character is very annoying, adds nothing to the show and I wish she'd have been killed off along with her Dad.

EastEnders:

Favourite male: Masood. He's a fantastic, layered character played by a wonderful actor. I only wish he'd get his own storyline. I'm not sure he's ever had a proper story to call his own, he's always piggy-backed off the back of Zainab's, Syed's and now Shabnam's. Not sure why producers seem to struggle with him.

Least favourite male: I know it's early days, but Paul. The actor is woeful and the character's irritating. If that's too judgemental considering I haven't really given him a chance, then I struggle tbh- I quite like all the current male cast.

Favourite female: Probably Jane. Her actions are repulsive, but she's become about 100x more interesting since her return last year though I've always liked her. I think she may have a bit of a limited shelf life now, which is a shame, because I love her.

Least favourite female: Sonia. Never liked her and I swear she's only gotten worse since she came back.

Corrie

Favourite male: David
Favourite female: Kylie
Yes these 2 depsite the rubbish storylines that they are being given. I think Kylie has a lot of unexplored potential too which with a good EP can be explored.

Least Favourite male: Sean - takes a lot to beat Callum but he does it, can't believe he's still in the show.
Least favourite female: Liz - Tough competition but she's terrible and unlike the other character I hate, she always comes off with some form of integrity and respect that she does not deserve.