24 October 2023 , 17:45
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One of EastEnders most iconic young actors is Shona McGarty, who plays Whitney Dean in the soap. Shona first joined the BBC One show as Whitney, Bianca Jackson's (Patsy Palmer) daughter in 2008 and has had a wide range of storylines during her time on the popular soap.
He character has tackled harrowing and often groundbreaking topics including sexual assault, murder, baby loss and sexual exploitation. But after 15 years, Shona has revealed that she plans to leave the show.
She told Inside Soap: "I have decided to spread my wings and will be leaving EastEnders. I have loved my years in the show. I have been trusted with some incredible storylines and have made amazing friendships - and family - which will endure."
Whitney and her iconic red hair (BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes)"I've had so much fun and done so many storylines, some of which have been sensitive, and I've been honoured to be trusted with such heavy stuff year after year. So I'm going to be sad to say goodbye to my friends and family, but it was the right decision for me as I want to do other things. After 15 years, I've had a pretty good run!" she added.
Shona briefly found love on set with co-star Matt Lapinskas, who played Anthony Moon, back in 2011. Matt had previously said it was 'love at first sight.' However, their relationship lasted only 18 months.
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Shona also dated co-star Max Bowden, who plays Ben Mitchell, for six months before the pair called it quits last year. Despite their break-up she says they are still close friends. "You take a risk, and you do something and it doesn’t work out, but that’s life, you’ve got to take that risk," she told The Mirror.
Shona at the British Soap Awards this year (David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)Meanwhile, Shona's time on the soap hasn't always been smooth sailing. In 2012, the star found herself in hot water with show bosses for turning up late repeatedly. She was given a month-long unpaid suspension and was also fined £3,000 to cover the crew's overtime costs when scenes ran late. However, she said she had learned her lesson and upon her return to work, she said she would be curbing her nights out.
"I realise how lucky I am," she said at the time. "I'm just going to stay in now. I'm going to try and be good. It's like a big family on EastEnders."
Shona with co-star James Farrar (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)Apart from this, Shona also has a hidden talent for singing and she previously wowed fans when she performed at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance singing Hallelujah in November 2022. She shared a clip of her performance on Instagram, writing: "Such an honour. A truly humbling experience. We will remember them."
Her co-stars supported the star with messages, such as Lacey Turner commenting: "Your talent is endless. I love you." Shona was also asked to sing at Jacqueline Jossa's 30th birthday party, performing a rendition of Amy Winehouse's song Valerie.