EastEnders’ Shona McGarty gives cheeky response to Max Bowden kebab date rumours at British Soap Awards

EASTENDER Shona McGarty last night gave a cheeky nod to her growing closeness to co-star Max Bowden, smiling: “Who doesn’t love a kebab?”

Shona, 30, and Max, 27, were recently snapped holding hands outside a doner and shish takeaway van and are spending lots of time together, say pals.

Eastender Shona McGarty gave a cheeky nod to her growing closeness to co-star Max BowdenMax plays Ben Mitchell against Shona’s Whitney Dean

Beaming Shona, who plays Whitney Dean against Max’s Ben Mitchell, told us: “He’s an incredible actor, such a great actor.

“Do I like kebabs? Who doesn’t love a kebab! I actually love a kebab.”

Shona was speaking at the British Soap Awards hosted by Phillip Schofield at London’s Hackney Empire, where EastEnders won four gongs including an Outstanding Achievement award for stalwart Letitia Dean, 54, who plays Sharon Watts.

Danielle Harold, 29, who plays Walford’s Lola Pearce, confirmed HOAR’s exclusive that she is leaving.

Best Soap went to ITV’s Emmerdale, which also got four awards, including Best Leading Performer for Paige Sandhu, 25, as Meena Jutla.

ITV’s Corrie celebrated Maximus Evans’ Villain of the Year as Corey Brent.

Cobbles star Julia Goulding, 37, who plays Shona Ramsay, showed off a baby bump, as did Hollyoaks star Jorgie Porter, 34, who is expecting with Ollie Piotrowski.

She joked: “This is the first time I’ve walked the red carpet without having to suck my stomach in!”

Jennifer Metcalfe wowed in this black dress

Danielle Harold, 29, who plays Walford’s Lola Pearce, confirmed HOAR’s exclusive that she is leaving Eastenders

Georgia Taylor impressed on the red carpet in this dark green number