The glam pack: Roxanne Pallett wears backless dress... while Gemma Merna opts for orange two-piece at the Discovery Ball in Manchester
By MARC ANDREWS and REBECCA DAVISON
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On Saturday night, the city of Manchester played host to a major charity event - the Discovery Ball, in aid of Manchester Children's Hospital Charity.
Led by former Emmerdale actress Roxanne Pallett, stars for the Ball included Gemma Merna and Jennifer Metcalfe from Hollyoaks and Coronation Street's Katie McGlynn and Ian Puleston-Davies.
Roxanne gots heads turning with her off the shoulder number that showed off her flawless back, while Gemma Merna turned heads in a bright orange two-piece.
Dare to bare: Roxanne Pallett shows plenty of skin at The Discovery Ball
Stunning: Roxanne Pallett wowed in her blue gown (left) while Gemma Merna turned up the heat in orange (right)
The Discovery Ball was hosted by Manchester TV legends Richard Madeley and Judy Finnegan as a celebration of both the city and the talent that comes from the area.
A host of famous Mancunians gave performances for the lucky guests including Simply Red's Mick Hucknall.
Prior to the event Mick stated: 'I am really looking forward to coming back to Manchester to perform at the Discovery Ball.
On the arm of Ben Sale for the evening, Roxanne attended The Discovery Ball
'As a proud mancunian I was more than happy to get involved and lend my support to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity.
'The event is supporting a very special project which will make a difference to the lives of children across the North West and beyond.'
Someone who recently experienced first hand the vital work that hospitals can do is Roxanne. The 31-year-old actress was rushed to hospital for an emergency operation last year after discovering a 'small discoloured mark' near her left nipple.
Kooky: Gemma's outfit showed off her stunning figure and she looked edgy with a side plait
After being referred to a skin specialist and being told the mark was in fact a potentially cancerous growth, Roxanne was forced to go under the knife to have it removed.
She then faced a four-week wait over the festive period to discover whether or not the doctors managed to remove the whole thing.
And, if she hadn't raised her concerns about the mark during a routine health check, she could have potentially lost her left breast if she had left the cancer to grow for just one more week.
Shine bright like a diamond! Katie McGlynn was a real dazzler at the ball
Corrie Star Katie McGlynn brought a touch of old school glamour to the event
Co-ordinated: Katie's shoes matched her spangly gown perfectly
Not the hair!! Katie suffers a minor hair malfunction as big gust blows her bonnet
Roxanne told The Sun On Sunday: 'If they hadn't caught it in time, the cancer would have spread and I would have needed further surgery and chemotherapy immediately.'
Following the operation, which saw surgeons have to 'dig down' in order to confirm the very rare form of cancer that she was suffering from hadn't spread to Roxanne's lymph nodes, the actress has been left with a one-inch long scar on her breast.
She said of the procedure: 'I woke up feeling like a forklift truck had dropped a ton of bricks on my chest.'
Coronation Street star Ian Puleston-Davies was all dressed up for the night
Back to black: Suranne Jones wore a simple sleeveless dress to the glitzy bash
Blustery: Suranne's hairstyle had got a little windswept earlier
Working it: Suranne's simple style and minimal make-up paid off
But Roxanne is determined not to let the lasting reminder of the terrifying cancer battle affect her femininity, instead describing it as her 'badge of honour'.
She added: 'You actually feel more feminine - because you feel more powerful as your body has won.'
After the operation, Roxanne rested and recovered at a spa hotel in Bedfordshire, and is now planning to work with cancer specialists in a bid to do further research into the disease.
It has been a difficult few months for Roxanne, who also suffered a debilitating injury last year which caused her nerve damage on her right arm.
Glam: Coronation Street's Jennie McAlpine looked chic in a black velvet and sheer dress
Romantic: Jennie and her boyfriend Chris Farr make quite the couple
Hollyoaks star Jennifer Metcalfe came in an all-black outfit but with a very bright pink striped bag
The former Emmerdale actress underwent an operation to attempt to repair some of the damage, but still hasn't regained her full strength in her arm.
She said at the time: 'Even now I can't hold a ball of wool in my right hand. The sensation sends my nerves into a frenzy. It's like it's stabbing me.
'They loosened the nerves in my wrist so I've lost all sensation and have to learn how to use it again. It's like starting from scratch.'
Happy: Jennifer Metcalfe looked like she didn't have a care in the world
In happier news, The Discovery Ball Charity was hoping to raise £120,000 at Saturday night's event to support the expansion of the hospital’s world-class children’s clinical research facility.
The facility treats children not only from Manchester, but also across the world and conducts leading research into childhood illnesses including many life-limiting conditions.
Happy to be back! Roxanne is thrilled with her good health news
Thumbs up: Chris Bisson got photobombed as he made his way into the venue
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2554983/Roxanne-Pallett-backless-dress-leads-slew-stars-The-Discovery-Ball-charity-event-Manchester.html#ixzz2spY5HHnm
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