I'm A Celebrity 2025: Shona McGarty's EastEnders exit, new singing career and recent heartbreak
Former soap star is making her first major TV comeback
Shona McGarty, an actress and singer best known for playing Whitney Dean in EastEnders, is looking forward to showing I’m A Celebrity viewers that she is nothing like the soap character she played for 16 years.
After quitting the world of soap in 2023, Shona says people still expect her to wear huge gold hoop earrings, have a ponytail and eat chicken nuggets like her Walford character. But Whitney and Shona couldn’t be more different, as we are about to find out.
Joining Shona on I’m A Celebrity line-up are Kelly Brook, Lisa Riley, Ruby Wax, Martin Kemp, Alex Scott, Jack Osbourne, Angry Ginge, Eddie Kadi and Aitch. But what is there to learn about the London-born star?
Here’s everything you need to know about Shona McGarty…
Is Shona McGarty Irish?
Shona was born on October 14, 1991 in the London Borough of Barnet.
Although she isn’t Irish herself, Shona does have Irish heritage as her grandparents from both sides of her family are from Ireland.
Why did Shona quit EastEnders?
After playing Whitney for 16 years, Shona decided to leave the soap in 2023. At the time, she told The Sun: “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.”
Shona’s final scenes as Whitney aired in May 2024.
Shona’s character arrived in Walford as Bianca Jackson’s adoptive daughter. During her time on the show, Whitney was engaged three times, killed her stalker and suffered sexual exploitation.
Before leaving the Square, Whitney was devastated when her unborn baby was diagnosed with a life-limiting condition called Edwards syndrome. The door has been left open for the character to return.
Is Shona McGarty in a relationship?
Shona announced her engagement to musician David Bracken last year but, according to reports, the pair have recently gone their separate ways.
A source reportedly told The Sun that there are no hard feelings between Shona and David: “They are on amicable terms but have ended their relationship. They both wanted different things and are better off as friends.”
Before meeting David, Shona previously dated EastEnders co-star Max Bowden, 30, who played Ben Mitchell.
Shona McGarty on her mental health struggles
Shona has always been very open in the past about her mental health. The star has often talked about living with anxiety and depression in the hope it will help others.
Talking on social media, she said: “I’ve had my own struggles with mental health, days that feel heavier than they should and moments when self-doubt creeps in. I’ve learned that opening up and being honest about how I feel truly helps.
“It’s okay to not be okay, and it’s even more than okay to be unapologetically me. Talking about it, sharing our stories, and supporting one another is how we break the stigma and remind ourselves that none of us are alone.”
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Shona’s music career and first single
Shona released her debut single, Unapologetically Me, in October this year.
The song is all about self-acceptance and living life proudly in your own skin. To make things even more impressive, Shona wrote the song herself.
The singing sensation is no stranger to performing. Over the years, she has appeared on everything from BBC Children in Need, where she left everyone speechless as she sang A Change Is Gonna Come live on air, to singing in The Vic on EastEnders as her character, Whitney.
She even performed Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah to a packed Royal Albert Hall during the 2022 BBC Festival of Remembrance.
Shona McGarty’s bizarre sleeping habit
The former EastEnders star has confessed she has a quirky way of getting to sleep each evening.
“I wear headphones at night and listen to serial killer documentaries,” she said. “I don’t know what that says about me, but it helps me to sleep randomly!”
But how will she sleep in the Australian jungle without her headphones? “Someone will have to tell me a scary story so I can get to sleep,” she joked.
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