British Soap Awards 2023: Eastenders’ Molly Rainford oozes sophistication in figure-hugging dress

Molly Rainford pulled out all the stops on Saturday night as she graced the red carpet for The British Soap Awards in Manchester.

The former Strictly Come Dancing star, 22, looked dazzling as she opted for a sophisticated one-shoulder black satin dress with a cut-out detail.

The slinky material hugged her hourglass figure, while the puffy one-shoulder sleeve added dramatic effect.

Her jewelry was minimal, with a simple gold cuff bracelet, gold studs and a dainty gold chain.

Molly, who will reportedly be joining the EastEnders cast, pulled her blonde locks back into a chic bun, with one strand hanging loosely in a curl.

Stunning: Molly Rainford, 22, joined Eastenders earlier this year and attended her first British Soap Awards in a form-fitting, floor-length black dress

Elegant: While posing for the cameras in a number of different poses, she revealed that part of her ensemble was backless, adding more glam

Elegant: While posing for the cameras in a number of different poses, she revealed that part of her ensemble was backless, adding more glam

Molly was all smiles, opting for a rosy blush on her cheeks and lashes of mascara to make her eyes pop.

It comes after it was reported that Molly will be taking on the role of a daughter in a new family moving to Walford to take over the Queen Vic later this year.

According to The Sun, she will join a long list of Strictly finalists to move on to “bigger things.”

A TV insider told the publication, “Molly joins a long line of former finalists who have done greater things than the competitors who ultimately emerged victorious.

“But anyone who saw her on Strictly could see that the entertainment world was her oyster.”

Molly could play the daughter of Ray Winstone, who has reportedly already landed a role in TV’s Albert Square.

It comes after Danny Dyer’s departure earlier this year, when his wife on the show, Linda, sold the pub after his tragic death.

This year’s British Soap Awards will be hosted by Jane McDonald, who was called up at the last minute to replace longtime presenter Phillip Schofield.

Wow: Molly wore her blonde locks in a chic style and opted for a glamorous makeup palette so all eyes were on her

Wow: Molly wore her blonde locks in a chic style and opted for a glamorous makeup palette so all eyes were on her

Glam: The slinky material hugged her hourglass figure, while the puffy one-shoulder sleeve added dramatic effect

Glam: The slinky material hugged her hourglass figure, while the puffy one-shoulder sleeve added dramatic effect

Stunner: Her jewelry was minimal, with a simple gold cuff bracelet, gold studs, and a dainty gold chain

Stunner: Her jewelry was minimal, with a simple gold cuff bracelet, gold studs, and a dainty gold chain

Host with the most: This year's British Soap Awards will be hosted by Jane McDonald, who was called up at the last minute as a replacement for longtime host Phillip Schofield

Host with the most: This year’s British Soap Awards will be hosted by Jane McDonald, who was called up at the last minute as a replacement for longtime host Phillip Schofield

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

He confessed to having an “ill-advised but not illegal” relationship with a man during his marriage to Stephanie Lowe, previously denying the affair when asked by his agent.

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

And amid news of Jane taking over, fans hailed the star as the ‘perfect choice’ to officiate at the ceremony, which takes place at The Lowry in Salford, Greater Manchester.

Prior to hosting the awards, Jane said, “Oh my god…..everyone knows how much I love my soaps, this year I’ve had the honor of being featured in Corrie, EastEnders and Emmerdale so this is just a dream come true .

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

Meanwhile, the top five soap operas – Coronation Street, Doctors, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks – will compete to earn recognition for their work over the past year.

The greats will take to the red carpet for the most star-studded and glamorous event in the soap calendar, airing on TV on Tuesday.

Resigned: Jane, 60, was revealed as Phillip's replacement after he left ITV and was dropped by his talent agency YMU after admitting to having an affair with a young male colleague from This Morning

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

And after a sensational year of thrilling drama, shocking scandals and action-packed stunts, it will be a hotly contested contest to see who will go home with a coveted gong.

This year’s nominees include Charlotte Jordan (Coronation Street), Chris Walker (Doctors), Danielle Harold (EastEnders), Jeff Hordley (Emmerdale) and Nikki Sanderson (Hollyoaks) for Best Dramatic Performance.

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

Meanwhile, it’s been a great year for soap opera storylines, with plots to tug at, get people talking and viewers screaming at their screens in both frustration and excitement.

Among the Best Storyline plots are Loving And Losing Lola for EastEnders, Paddy’s Suicide Attempt for Emmerdale and Incel Eric Targets Mason and Maxine for Hollyoaks.

Contenders for Scene Of The Year include Acid Attack for Coronation Street, Hell Is Empty for Doctors and Whitney and Zack Say Goodbye To Peach for EastEnders.

They did!  All the top five soaps are sure to compete for the grand prize - Best British Soap - won last year by Emmerdale (pictured in 2022)

They did! All the top five soaps are sure to compete for the grand prize – Best British Soap – won last year by Emmerdale (pictured in 2022)

The best single episode is also up for grabs with names like EastEnders’ Goodbye Dot, Emmerdale’s All Male Man Club and Hollyoaks’ The Long Walk Home competing.

Stars from the soap operas will also compete for awards including Best Young Performer, Best Family, Best Comedy Performance, Best On-Screen Partnership and Best Newcomer.

While all the top five soaps will surely compete for the grand prize – Best British Soap – which was won by Emmerdale last year.

The winners of the Outstanding Achievement Prize and the Tony Warren Award will be announced that evening.

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

British Soap Awards 2023 Nominations

VIEWER VOTED CATEGORIES

Best Leading Artist

Charlotte Jordan (Daisy Midgeley, Coronation Street)

Danielle Harold (Lola Pearce-Brown, EastEnders)

Shona McGarty (Whitney Dean, East Enders)

Sally Dexter (Faith Dingle, Emmerdale)

Dominic Brunt (Paddy Dingle, Emmerdale)

Villain of the Year

Todd Boyce (Stephen Reid, Coronation Street)

Laura White (Princess Buchanan, doctors)

Aaron Thiara (Ravi Gulati, East Enders)

Michael Wildman (Al Chapman, Emmerdale)

Angus Castle-Doughty (Eric Foster, Hollyoaks)

Best Young Artist

Jude Riordan (Sam Blakeman, Coronation Street)

Lillia Turner (Lily Slater, EastEnders)

Huey Quinn (Kyle Winchester, Emmerdale)

Jayden Fox (Bobby Costello, Hollyoaks)

Best British Soap

Coronation Street

Doctors

East Enders

Emmerdale

Holly oak

CATEGORIES VOTED BY THE PANEL

Best Storyline

Daisy stalks hell (Coronation Street)

Valerie and the Counterfeit Prescription (Doctors)

Loving and Losing Lola (EastEnders)

Paddy’s suicide attempt (Emmerdale)

Incel Eric targets Mason and Maxine (Hollyoaks)

Scene of the year

The Acid Attack (Coronation Street)

Hell Is Empty – The Explosion (Doctors)

Whitney and Zack say goodbye to Peach (EastEnders)

Paddy’s suicide attempt (Emmerdale)

Zoe tells abused Maxine “It’s not your fault” (Hollyoaks)

Best Comedy Performance

Maureen Lipman (Evelyn Plummer, Coronation Street)

Ian Midlane (Al Haskey, doctors)

Jonny Freeman (Reiss Colwell, EastEnders)

Samantha Giles (Bernice Blackstock, Emmerdale)

Best Dramatic Performance

Charlotte Jordan (Daisy Midgeley, Coronation Street)

Chris Walker (Rob Hollins, doctors)

Danielle Harold (Lola Pearce-Brown, EastEnders)

Jeff Hordley (Cain Dingle, Emmerdale)

Nikki Sanderson (Maxine Minniver, Hollyoaks)

Best Single Episode

Acid Attack (Coronation Street)

‘Anything But Magnolia’ and ‘If Wishes Were Horses’ – Karen’s Death (Doctors)

Goodbye Dot (EastEnders)

All-male male club episode (Emmerdale)

The Long Walk Home (Hollyoaks)

best newbie

Channique Sterling-Brown (Dee-Dee Bailey, Coronation Street)

Kia Pegg (Scarlett Kiernan, Doctors)

Aaron Thiara (Ravi Gulati, East Enders)

William Ash (Caleb Miligan, Emmerdale)

Anya Lawrence (Vicky Grant, Hollyoaks)

Best family

The Platts (Kroningstraat)

The Millars (Doctors)

The Slaters (EastEnders)

The Dingles (Emmerdale)

The McQueens (Hollyoaks)

Best on-screen collaboration

David Neilson and Maureen Lipman (Roy Cropper and Evelyn Plummer, Coronation Street)

Chris Walker and Jan Pearson (Rob and Karen Hollins, doctors)

Jamie Borthwick and Danielle Harold (Jay Brown and Lola Pearce-Brown, EastEnders)

Mark Charnock and Dominic Brunt (Marlon Dingle and Paddy Dingle, Emmerdale)

Richard Blackwood and Jamie Lomas (Felix Westwood and Warren Fox, Hollyoaks)