Corrie stars have a ball
SOAP STARS TURN OUT FOR ONE OF MOST EMINENT CHARITY EVENTS IN THE CITY’S SOCIAL CALENDAR
A HOST of stars sparkled at the annual Once Upon A Smile Grand Ball. Coronation Street and Emmerdale favourites strutted the red carpet at the event for Once Upon A Smile, founded by Emmerdale star Danny Miller and actor Daniel Jillings to help bereaved families.
Danny and Daniel were proud to walk the red carpet at the Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground with Xander Roussos, the brother of Saffie Roussos, the youngest of the 22 people killed in the attack on the Manchester Arena at the Ariana Grande concert last May.
Corrie ladies Julia Goulding and Nicola Thorp, who play Shona Ramsey and Nicola Rubinstein, arrived with Charlie de Melo, who plays solicitor Imran Habeeb.
Julia looked stunning in a black lace dress and Nicola elegant in a floor length red gown.
Fans lining the red carpet went wild when Thomas brothers Adam, Ryan and Scott arrived, former Emmerdale actor Adam with his wife Caroline and former Corrie and Neighbours actor Ryan with his girlfriend Lucy Mecklenburgh. Emmerdale’s Anthony Quinlan and flamehaired Strictly Come Dancing pro dancer Dianne Buswell cuddled up on the red carpet, Dianne looking stunning in a plunging black velvet dress. And fellow Emmerdale stars Eden Taylor-Draper, Emily Head, Isobel Steele, Natalie J Robb, Sophie Powles, Sally Dexter, Samantha Giles, Liam Fox and Ryan Hawley, who plays Robert Sugden, and former cast member Kelvin Fletcher arrived in their finery in the spring sunshine to support their pal Danny. Cold Feet actor Cel Spellman and former The Real Housewives of Cheshire star Leanne Brown and her footballer husband Wes also had flash bulbs popping as guests arrived at one the most prestigious charitable events on the Manchester calendar.
Radio One presenter Cel stepped in the shoes hosting the ball in place of Danny’s comedian and compere dad, Vince, who announced his retirement from entertainment at last year’s glittering event.
“I knew I’d have some really, really big shoes to fill,” he said in tribute to Vince before welcoming ‘Mr Manchester’ to the stage - and he was presented with an engraved watch to thank him for his seven years comparing the ball.
Opening the night in her trademark cap and glasses was X Factor finalist Honey G, decked out in gold, who performed a medley including 2Pac’s California Love and the Kriss Kross banger Jump.
The room was moved to tears when Andrew Roussos, father of eight-year-old Saffie, gave a moving speech about the help and support provided to his family.
Once Upon A Smile opened a helpline and gave bereavement support after the attack
I knew I’d have some really, really big shoes to fill
Cel Spellman