Gemma was in attendance, despite leaving Hollyoaks in 2014 Picture: David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)

Gemma Merna is no longer on Hollyoaks, but she’ll be damned if that means she can’t steal the spotlight from her former colleagues at their party.

Like an ex-colleague showing up at the work Christmas do in the glitziest frock available, Gemma rocked up to the Inside Soap Awards and attracted attention away from some of soap’s current stars.

The 33-year-old, who played Carmel McQueen up until 2014 on Hollyoaks, wore a daring black dress that was mainly made from see-through mesh.

The Gemma Collins effect strikes again.

The actress wore a daring mesh gown (Picture: Zak Hussein/SilverHub/REX/Shutterstock)

The dress featured polka-dotted mesh with panels of full coverage preventing a wardrobe malfunction.

Gemma. who left the party with former castmate and IRL housemate Jennifer Metcalfe, wasn’t the only soap star to go sheer at the awards show, which took place at London’s Hippodrome Casino.

Bonnie Langford swapped Carmel Kazemi’s usual style for a rock chick vibe, with the 53-year-old wearing a see-through mesh top over a black bra.

The EastEnders actress also wore metallic jeans and a statement belt on the red carpet.

Rock on, Bonnie (Picture: Mike Marsland/WireImage)

Emmerdale was named Best Soap for the third year running at the Inside Soap Awards, with Gillian Kearney (Emma Barton) being named Best Bad Girl and Danny Miller (Aaron Dingle) winning Best Actor.

The ITV soap won a total of eight awards.

Coronation Street also had a good night, winning five gongs, while EastEnders won two, Hollyoaks picked up one, Casualty racked up two and Doctors won one gong.

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