A New Adventure Begins for Shona McGarty

Former EastEnders star Shona McGarty is stepping into one of her boldest challenges yet as she joins the cast of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! The 34-year-old actor, known for her long-running role as Whitney Dean, will swap the drama of Albert Square for the trials of the jungle.

Shona will appear alongside fellow soap names Martin Kemp and Lisa Riley, marking a stand-out year for soap representation on the ITV reality show. Speaking after the announcement, she shared that she wants viewers to finally see the real Shona, not the character they’ve known since 2008.

Breaking Away From Walford

Shona first joined EastEnders as Whitney at just 16 years old. Viewers watched the character grow through trauma, motherhood, and some of the soap’s most emotional stories. Her final episode aired in May 2024, as Whitney left London to build a new life with baby Dolly.

Leaving the show was not a decision she reached lightly. Shona admitted that she had spent her whole adult life in Walford, and it felt like saying goodbye to a home. She explained that she wanted to explore new creative paths, adding that life is short and she didn’t want to wait to try new opportunities.

Since then, Shona has taken a step into music. Her recent single, Unapologetically Me, was received warmly by fans, who praised her powerful vocals and honest lyrics.

The Truth About Her Relationships

Shona’s personal life has also been in the spotlight. She was engaged to Ryan Harris, who proposed with a ring hidden inside her birthday cake. They ended their relationship in 2020, parting on respectful terms.

Later, Shona became involved with EastEnders co-star Max Bowden, who played Ben Mitchell. Their relationship lasted around six months and ended shortly after Max welcomed a child with his ex-partner. Despite the split, Shona confirmed that they remain friends and still speak warmly of each other.

In 2024, she became engaged again, this time to musician David Bracken, but the pair reportedly ended things after realizing they wanted different futures.

Shona’s New Chapter

Shona hopes I’m A Celebrity will help her rediscover her voice. She says people expect her to behave like Whitney, but she is excited to show the world who she truly is.

As she heads into the jungle, fans are asking one question:

Will Shona emerge from the camp as a completely reinvented star?