29 July 2023 , 20:41
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EastEnders' Shona McGarty, who plays Whitney Dean on the soap, has quit the long-running BBC series.
The actress, 31, has been a staple in Albert Square since 2008, joining when she was just 16, but now the soap star has made the "difficult" decision to leave.
It is believed that her final scenes on EastEnders will air next year, when her contract will run out, and producers are currently deliberating her exit storyline. A source says : "It wasn’t an easy decision for Shona to make and she is gutted to be walking away from her soap family, especially as she has grown up on set with most of them. She’ll be sorely missed by the cast.
EastEnders' Whitney actress Shona McGarty has quit the BBC One soap after 15 years (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)"But she feels like now is the right time in her life to step away and try something new. She is hoping the door will be left open for her character to return one day, but nothing is guaranteed and it is all in the hands of the scriptwriters."
Shona told The Sun on Sunday: "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."
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The Mirror has contacted EastEnders for further comment.
Whitney has been part of several explosive storylines during her time on the hit BBC one soap that have attracted strong reactions from viewers. Most recently Whitney went through a heartbreaking miscarriage with on-screen love interest Zack Hudson, played by James Farrar.
The market trader had to make the decision to terminate her pregnancy after finding out her unborn daughter was suffering from Edwards' syndrome. Most babies with the condition will die before or shortly after they are born, according to the NHS. The distressing plot earned Shona a nomination for Best Leading Performer at the 2023 British Soap Awards.
When Whitney received the diagnosis, actress Shona explained how it was her character's "worst nightmare". "This is Whitney's worst nightmare. She's been doing a lot of research online and they always say you shouldn't search stuff, but obviously, Whitney just can't help it. I'm sure we could all put ourselves in that position and we'd probably do the same," she said.
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EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.