Maura Higgins risks flashing everyone in eye-popping optical illusion dress on NTAs red carpet


It was a glamour-filled night for celebrities at the National Television Awards – but the Love Island alums really pushed the boat out with some daring gowns on the red carpet.

The eventful night saw winners Gogglebox defeat Ant and Dec while Piers Morgan walked out to a chorus of boos but the red carpet didn’t disappoint either.

In true Love Island fashion, the reality stars showed some skin at the London O2 event, with Maura Higgins’ outfit leaving us gagged.

The reality star showed off some serious underboob and more as she walked the red carpet in a black dress with a huge front cutout.

Maura’s dress covered her shoulders before dramatically cutting off mid-chest, with a string of pearls covering the rest of her breasts and torso.

She swept her hair up into a high bun so nothing could distract from her revealing moment, opting for a subtle black clutch with pearl clasp to complete the look.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA (14082890n) Maura Higgins 28th National Television Awards, Arrivals, Fashion Highlights, The O2, London, UK - 05 Sep 2023
Maura Higgins looked phenomenal (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ash Knotek/Shutterstock for NTA (14076307ps) Maura Higgins 28th National Television Awards, Arrivals, The O2, London, UK - 05 Sep 2023
Her daring dress barely covered her chest (Picture: Ash Knotek/Shutterstock for NTA)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA (14082890z) Olivia Attwood 28th National Television Awards, Arrivals, Fashion Highlights, The O2, London, UK - 05 Sep 2023
Olivia Attwood also opted for a revealing neckline (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA (14076301iq) Chloe Burrows 28th National Television Awards, Arrivals, The O2, London, UK - 05 Sep 2023
Chloe Burrows showed off her on-trend belly button piercing (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA)

Her jaw-dropping gown caught fans attention but the 32-year-old wasn’t the only star rocking a risky look.

Joining Maura was former Love Islander and current Celebs Go Dating star Chloe Burrows, 27, who also got the revealing black dress memo.

Chloe might have been having some dating trouble on the Channel 4 show but she’s reminded everyone what a catch she is on the red carpet.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA (14076301eo) Ekin-su Culculoglu 28th National Television Awards, Arrivals, The O2, London, UK - 05 Sep 2023
Ekin-su Culculoglu looked ethereal (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA (14076301en) Ekin-su Culculoglu 28th National Television Awards, Arrivals, The O2, London, UK - 05 Sep 2023
She rocked the sheer trend (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA (14076301ad) Molly Marsh 28th National Television Awards, Arrivals, The O2, London, UK - 05 Sep 2023
Molly Marsh went for a glitzy look (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA (14076301bl) Alison Hammond 28th National Television Awards, Arrivals, The O2, London, UK - 05 Sep 2023
Alison stunned in beaded black material (Picture: Shutterstock)

Merging the underboob and sheer trends, the reality star wore a figure-hugging dress which barely covered her chest – held in place with a chain.

The open-front design showed off Chloe’s belly button piercing, making a comeback thanks to the resurgence of 00s and 10s fashion trends.

Her black bodysuit gave way to a mesh skirt with a fluffy feathered trim on the hem, accessorised simply with a lime green clutch.

Not to be outdone, Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu, 29, looked like an actual goddess in a sheer nude-toned strapless gown with embroidered leaves climbing from her hip to her torso.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt Crossick/Shutterstock for NTA (14076321c) Holly Willoughby and Alison Hammond 28th National Television Awards, Show, The O2, London, UK - 05 Sep 2023
Holly and Alison had a giggle inside the venue (Picture: Matt Crossick/Shutterstock for NTA)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA (14076301bo) Alison Hammond 28th National Television Awards, Arrivals, The O2, London, UK - 05 Sep 2023
Alison’s cape was a moment (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA (14082890k) Holly Willoughby 28th National Television Awards, Arrivals, Fashion Highlights, The O2, London, UK - 05 Sep 2023
Holly channelled old Hollywood (Picture: Shutterstock)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA (14076315aa) Holly Willoughby, Alison Hammond and Zoe Williams 28th National Television Awards, Show, The O2, London, UK - 05 Sep 2023
The formal occasion didn’t stop playful selfies (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA)

The Love Island stars of course weren’t the only ones rocking the red carpet with everyone’s favourite Big Brother alum Alison Hammond in an all-black ensemble.

The 48-year-old This Morning host beamed as she posed in her black beaded gown, hoping to leave the venue victorious following her nomination for best TV presenter. 

Opting for a glitzy makeup look, the star smouldered in a perfect smokey eye and showed off her dress in her latest Instagram upload. 

Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA (14076301bh) Holly Willoughby 28th National Television Awards, Arrivals, The O2, London, UK - 05 Sep 2023
The host chose a simple approach for the evening (Picture: Shutterstock)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA (14082890am) Katherine Ryan 28th National Television Awards, Arrivals, Fashion Highlights, The O2, London, UK - 05 Sep 2023
Katherine Ryan looked glam in a plunging black gown (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA (14076301ee) Susanna Reid 28th National Television Awards, Arrivals, The O2, London, UK - 05 Sep 2023
Susanna Reid looked gorgeous in red (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA)

Alison wore an embroidered black v-neck dress that hugged her figure and was complimented by an accompanying sheer cape. 

The outer layer hung from her shoulders, cascaded to the floor in the luxe see-through material and was fastened onto her body by a diamonte chest piece. 

She styled her hair poker straight and jazzed up the look with some silver chandelier diamond earrings. 

The star shared her evening wear with her social media followers and captioned the image: ‘I’m ready and off to the @officialntas so excited! Whatever happens if I forget ……thank you for getting @thismorning and me into the category’s with your votes. You are the best.’

Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA (14082890d) Anna Williamson 28th National Television Awards, Arrivals, Fashion Highlights, The O2, London, UK - 05 Sep 2023
Love expert Anna Williamson opted for a rich purple and we’re loving it (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ash Knotek/Shutterstock for NTA (14076307do) Fleur East and James Bye 28th National Television Awards, Arrivals, The O2, London, UK - 05 Sep 2023
Fleur East was heavily Janelle Monáe inspired as she posed with James Bye (Picture: Ash Knotek/Shutterstock for NTA)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ash Knotek/Shutterstock for NTA (14076307w) Katie Piper 28th National Television Awards, Arrivals, The O2, London, UK - 05 Sep 2023
Katie Piper brought the drama on the glamourous night (Picture: Shutterstock)

Next to show off her glad rags was fellow This Morning alumnus Holly Willoughby, 42, who also posted her NTA gown to her social media account. 

The presenter was a vision in lilac channelling old Hollywood, the host was almost Marilyn Monroe-like as she added soft curls to the end of her short blonde. 

She chose a simple – yet oh-so-effective – floor-length mermaid-style dress that pooled out from under her feet in a purple puddle to one side.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA (14076315fi) Holly Willoughby, Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary 28th National Television Awards, Show, The O2, London, UK - 05 Sep 2023
Holly, Alison, and Dermot O’Leary got a cute snap together (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA (14082890at) Sam Ryder 28th National Television Awards, Arrivals, Fashion Highlights, The O2, London, UK - 05 Sep 2023
Sam Ryder proved men’s fashion can be more exciting than a black suit (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA (14076315is) Dianne Buswell, Amy Dowden and Katya Jones 28th National Television Awards, Show, The O2, London, UK - 05 Sep 2023
Dianne Buswell, Amy Dowden, and Katya Jones all looked glam (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA (14076301dc) Danielle Harold 28th National Television Awards, Arrivals, The O2, London, UK - 05 Sep 2023
Danielle Harold got the sheer memo (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA)

Holly’s ensemble hugged her chest in a strapless neckline that slightly dipped in the centre and complimented her figure as it flowed to the ground. 

The star kept the rest of her look plain, adding only a single diamond necklace to embellish the outfit. 

Holly added a caption to her outfit of the night post that read: ‘NTA’s … lets go! To everyone who has been nominated tonight, enjoy every moment… Thank you to @patsyoneillmakeup using @beautypie @danniiwhiteman and @cilerpeksah_hairstylist for getting me glammed up… love you!!!! #hwstyle dress by @suzanneneville jewellery @mappinandwebb bag by @emmylondonofficial @officialntas.’

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ash Knotek/Shutterstock for NTA (14076307x) Amy Dowden 28th National Television Awards, Arrivals, The O2, London, UK - 05 Sep 2023
Amy turned heads in a pale pink gown (Picture: Shutterstock)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA (14076301af) Amy Dowden 28th National Television Awards, Arrivals, The O2, London, UK - 05 Sep 2023
The star wore a tickled pink badge in acknowledgement of her cancer (Picture: Shutterstock)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA (14076301gm) Stacey Solomon 28th National Television Awards, Arrivals, The O2, London, UK - 05 Sep 2023
Stacey’s pink made everyone wink (Picture: Shutterstock)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA (14076301gk) Joe Swash and Stacey Solomon 28th National Television Awards, Arrivals, The O2, London, UK - 05 Sep 2023
She posed with her husband Joe (Picture: Shutterstock)

Stacey Solomon, 33, turned heads in a poofy pink tulle dress that featured a pink sequinned bodice and a layered skirt.

The Loose Women star posed with her husband Joe Swash and channelled Barbie with her bold look.

Amy Dowden, 33, arrived on the red carpet in a tulle pale pink strapless gown that hit the floor in a pool of ruffles.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA (14076301fz) Emma Willis 28th National Television Awards, Arrivals, The O2, London, UK - 05 Sep 2023
Emma Willis looked utterly cool in her suit (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA)
Helen Flanagan on the red carpet for the NTAs.
Helen Flanagan wore green on the night (Picture: Shutterstock)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Fisher/Shutterstock for NTA (14076301fs) Pixie Lott 28th National Television Awards, Arrivals, The O2, London, UK - 05 Sep 2023
Pregnant Pixie Lott opted for a mini dress (Picture: Shutterstock)

The Strictly professional dancer stunned in the dramatic number and wore her raven hair in soft waves around her shoulders.

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Despite suffering from breast cancer, the star dazzled as she joined other celebrities on the red carpet.

Katie Piper, 39, walked into the venue wearing a black structured ballgown that featured a dramatic floral cream embellishment on the neckline that scooped around the back of her shoulders.

Even Pixie Lott, 32, who is weeks away from giving birth attended the awards looking oh so sweet in a black mini dress.

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