The British Soap Awards 2023: Shona McGarty amps up the glamour in a sequin dress

Shona McGarty made sure to capture attention as she arrived at the British Soap Awards 2023 at The Lowry in Salford on Saturday evening.

The actress, 31, who plays Whitney Dean in Eastenders, turned heads in a sequin royal blue floor length gown with long sleeves.

She showed off her long slender legs in the sensational ensemble, with one side of the garment featuring a thigh high slit.

Shona added a few inches to her stature by wearing a pair of nude strapped heels with diamanté detailing.

Leggy: The actress, who plays Whitney Dean in Eastenders, let the dress so the talking as she displayed her ample cleavage in the low cut dress

Frock star: The dress donned a thigh high split and she wore her raven tresses scraped back into a low ponytail from a centre parting

Shona wore lashings of make-up to highlight her stunning features and accessorised with a pair of drop earrings.

At the awards ceremony, Shona also hinted that she is involved with a mystery person after she split from Max Bowden late last year.

She cryptically told The Mirror: ‘I’m speaking to someone at the moment but it’s very early days.’ 

Last year, it was reported that Shona and Max had parted ways following a six-month romance and decided to remain friends. 

Max had recently welcomed a baby boy with his ex Roisin Buckle, and sources claimed it had made their relationship ‘too complicated’.

Max, 27, and Shona’s romance first came to light in May 202 after sources claimed the pair were ‘inseparable’ following his split from girlfriend Roisin, and they made their relationship Instagram official in August. 

This year’s British Soap Awards was hosted by Jane McDonald, who was drafted in as a last minute replacement for long-time host Phillip Schofield. 

Operatic singer and cruise ship favourite Jane, 60, was revealed as Phillip’s replacement on Thursday after he quit ITV and was dropped by his talent agency YMU after admitting to an affair with a young male This Morning colleague.

He confessed to having the ‘unwise but not illegal’ relationship with a man during his marriage to Stephanie Lowe, and previously denied the affair when asked about it by his agent.

The presenter, 61, confirmed in a statement last week that he has stepped down from all his ITV jobs, including the ceremony. 

And amid news Jane was taking the helm, fans hailed the star as the ‘perfect choice’ to front the ceremony, which took place at The Lowry in Salford, Manchester. 

Turning heads: Shona wore lashings of make-up to highlight her pretty features and accessorised with a pair of drop earrings

Romance: At the awards ceremony, Shona also hinted that she is involved with a mystery person after she split from Max Bowden (pictured) late last year  

Host with the most: This year’s British Soap Awards was hosted by Jane McDonald, who was drafted in as a last minute replacement for long-time host Phillip Schofield

Stepped down: Jane, 60, was revealed as Phillip’s replacement after he quit ITV and was dropped by his talent agency YMU after admitting to an affair with a young male This Morning colleague

Ahead of hosting the awards, Jane said: ‘Oh my god…..everyone knows how much I LOVE my soaps, this year I’ve been honoured to be mentioned in Corrie, EastEnders and Emmerdale, so this is just a dream come true. 

‘I can’t wait to see all our wonderful soap nominees and celebrate all their hard work with them – roll on the awards, I can’t wait!’

The five biggest soaps – Coronation Street, Doctors, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks – battled it out to win recognition for their work over the past year.

The great and good of the soap world hit the red carpet for the most star-studded and glamorous event in the soap calendar, which airs on TV on Tuesday.

And after a sensational year of exhilarating drama, shocking scandals and action-packed stunts, it was a closely fought contest for the top gongs.

The big prize, Best British Soap, was snapped up by EastEnders, seizing the prize from last year’s winners Emmerdale.

Coronation Street’s Charlotte Jordan took home the Best Dramatic Performance, beating the likes of Chris Walker (Doctors), Danielle Harold (EastEnders), Jeff Hordley (Emmerdale) and Nikki Sanderson (Hollyoaks).

But Danielle Harold impressively won the Best Leading Performer gong, which is voted for by the public. She beat Charlotte Jordan, Shona McGarty, Dominic Brunt and Sally Dexter to the award.

While Aaron Thiara (EastEnders) won Villain of the Year over the likes of Todd Boyce (Coronation Street), Laura White (Doctors), Michael Wildman (Emmerdale) and Angus Castle-Doughty (Hollyoaks).

Meanwhile, it’s been a stellar year for storylines in the soaps, with plots to tug at the heartstrings, get people talking and leave viewers yelling at their screens with both frustration and excitement.

Winning Best Storyline was Incel Eric Targets Mason And Maxine for Hollyoaks, while  Loving And Losing Lola for EastEnders and Paddy’s Suicide Attempt for Emmerdale were also nominated.

Coveted: The big prize, Best British Soap, was snapped up by EastEnders, seizing the prize from last year’s winners Emmerdale

Winner! Danielle Harold impressively won the Best Leading Performer gong, which is voted for by the public. She beat Charlotte Jordan, Shona McGarty, Dominic Brunt and Sally Dexter 

Amazing: Coronation Street’s Charlotte Jordan took home the Best Dramatic Performance, beating the likes of Chris Walker (Doctors) and Danielle Harold (EastEnders)

Scene Of The Year was won by Acid Attack for Coronation Street, beating Hell Is Empty for Doctors and Whitney and Zack Say Goodbye To Peach for EastEnders.

Coronation Street also took home Best Single Episode, winning it over the likes of EastEnders’ Goodbye Dot, Emmerdale’s All Male Man Club and Hollyoaks’ The Long Walk Home.

Stars from the soaps also faced each other for prizes including Best Young Performer, Best Family, Best Comedy Performance, Best On-Screen Partnership and Best Newcomer.

The British Soap Awards airs on television on Tuesday 6 June at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.