The prospect of attending a high-profile event attended by hundreds of beautiful co-stars can be daunting for any young actress.So Gemma Merna decided to pull out all the stops to ensure she stood out from the crowd as she attended a Hollyoaks summer ball last night wearing an incredibly low-cut bronze backless dress.
Gemma, 25, who attended the event at Chester Racecourse with her fiancé Ian Minton, has been working hard to get in the best shape ever for her wedding next summer.
And the results certainly show.
Beautiful in bronze: Gemma Merna arrived at the Hollyoaks ball at Chester Racecourse last night wearing an incredibly low-cut dress
Marriage plans: Gemma attended with her fiancé Ian Minton, who she is marrying in summer 2011
The actress, who plays Carmel McQueen in the Channel 4 soap, explained recently how she maintained her size eight figure.
She said: 'I do 30 minutes on the treadmill - one minute walking, two jogging, then two sprinting.
'Then I do lunges with weights and press-ups. I also go to an outdoor running club and walk my dogs - a St Bernard called Cole and a Westie called Phoebe - for an hour or two every day.'
And Gemma says she is rightfully proud of her toned curves, adding: 'When I look at my body I think, "You worked hard and it’s paid off."
'I’m in proportion, I’m toned well, nothing wobbles too much! I’ve got cellulite, but then hasn’t everyone?'
Double trouble: Gemma posed up with Ian and then with co-star Carley Stenson, who wore a black minidress
Gemma also said she watches what she eats during the week, but gives herself a free reign at the weekends.
She said: 'I'll eat sausage butties, Indian takeaways, chocolate or the odd glass of wine - whatever I fancy!
'I used to be stricter, but now my metabolism is faster I can be more relaxed.'
But whether she had given in and indulged in some fast food yesterday, or stuck to a healthier diet, Gemma looked slim and svelte in her slinky evening dress, which she teamed with a chic clutch bag and heels
