There were several EastEnders stars in attendance for the recent Paul Strank Annual Charity Gala, including former cast member Shona McGarty and Strictly’s Molly Rainford
Stars of EastEnders graced the red carpet at the glamorous Paul Strank Annual Charity Gala in London recently.
Shona McGarty, who bid farewell to Albert Square earlier this year after a 16-year stint as Whitney Dean, was spotted dazzling in a blue sparkly jumpsuit. The 32 year old actress, currently performing in 2:22 A Ghost Story alongside Harry Potter’s Tom Felton, is blissfully engaged to her musician beau David Bracken, as previously revealed to OK! magazine. Shona posed for a photo at the charity event with former colleague Danny-Boy Hatchard, who played Lee Carter on EastEnders.
Also present from the BBC soap was ex-regular Jazzy Phoenix, known for her role as Nadine Keller on the BBC show. Previously linked with co-star Bobby Brazier, Jazzy has also sparked romance rumours with EastEnders stalwart and current Strictly contestant Jamie Borthwick. She is slated to appear in the touring stage show Come What May, which is touted as the “ultimate celebration of the iconic movie-musical Moulin Rouge.” Jazzy, who looked chic in a black dress with a see-through mid-section at the charity event, will star alongside former Strictly Come Dancing sensation AJ Pritchard and his brother Curtis in the production.
EastEnders newcomer Molly Rainford attended the glittering event alongside her Strictly star boyfriend, DJ Tyler West. The actress, who joined the soap as Anna Knight last year and recently featured in a significant spiking storyline, looked chic in a black evening gown while Tyler cut a sharp figure in a tuxedo.
Discussing her storyline back in July, Molly highlighted its relevance, saying: “My friends have been spiked…I know so many people this has happened to. This happens to people my age. [That’s why] I was so pleased when EastEnders told me I was going to have this storyline. I shouldn’t feel lucky that it hasn’t happened to me.”
The red carpet also welcomed former Atomic Kitten member Kerry Katona, dazzling in a strapless burgundy number at the Royal Garden hotel event, accompanied by her daughter Heidi, 17, who wore a white dress for the glamorous night alongside her mother.
Joining the celebrities was Christine McGuinness, who showed off her gym-honed physique in a black cut-out dress, after her split from comedian husband Paddy in 2022. Lizzie Cundy, Kelsey Parker and Duncan James were among other celebs that graced the event, each adding their own splash of glamour to the evening festivities.
The Paul Strank Charitable Trust, which hosts fundraisers and events thoughout the year, was established with the aim of supporting disadvantaged families, particularly focusing on alleviating poverty, illness or other hardships faced by children.
