EastEnders legend Cheryl Fergison has sunk her claws into the British Soap Awards after a shock snub towards Phil Mitchell star Steve McFadden.

The soap star, who played Heather Trott in the BBC soap between 2007 and 2012, took to Instagram to share her frustration at her pal not being nominated for the prestigious awards.

However Cheryl, 59, instantly regretted what she after receiving backlash about her comments on her page.

The British Soap Awards have already revealed the early nominations for the Best Leading Performer, Villian of the Year, Best Comedy Performance and Best British Soap – and Steve isn’t under any of them.

In a video uploaded to her Instagram on Tuesday, Cheryl said: ‘Seriously, are the Soap Awards having a laugh?

‘Steve McFadden has not has not even been put on the long list, let alone the short list, let alone winning it.

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EastEnders legend Cheryl Fergison sinks claws into British Soap Awards after shock snub – but instantly regrets it after vicious fan backlash

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The soap star appeared on EastEnders for five years in the mid 2000s

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The soap star took to Instagram to share her frustration at her pal (pictured above with her) not being nominated for the prestigious awards.

‘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.’

‘I don’t get it. I’m sorry soap awards, you’ve done a real boo boo here mate, a real boo boo.’

While many agreed with what she said, one fumed: ‘Cheryl, Steve has been put forward for other awards.’

One questioned: ‘Ever thought he might be getting a special award???’

A day later she took to Instagram to clear up what she had said.

Cheryl said: ‘Hello everyone, so I’m getting a little bit of backlash, criticism, comments 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.

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Cheryl played Heather Trott in the BBC soap between 2007 and 2012

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Cheryl said of her friend: ‘Seriously, are the Soap Awards having a laugh? Steve McFadden has not has not even been put on the long list, let alone the short list, let alone winning it…’

‘But I don’t think that it makes the public aware of the timescale that they are voting for.’

She pointed out that if it is for a storyline from last year, they should let people know its from last year, not current storylines.

Cheryl captioned the video: ‘Trying to clear this up a bit so don’t shoot me down please.’

But luckily many did understand what she was trying to say and got her point.

One said in the comments section: ‘Absolutey 100% agree.’

Another added: ‘Go Cheryl.’

‘Yea I agree with u Cheryl and know what u mean,’ a third chimed in.

A fourth wrote: ‘Hey lovely, don’t take any notice of these keyboard warriors they don’t half love a good moan!  Keep smiling.’

During her five years on EastEnders she was involved in a number of gripping storylines, including giving birth to Darren Miller’s son.

Her alter-ego was killed off by Ben Mitchell.

After EastEnders, Cheryl landed roles in Big School, White Island, DOdger, Hard Cell and Mr. Big Stuff.