Shona McGarty

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Summary

 Shona Bernadette McGarty, born October 14th, 1991, is an English actress and singer. Many will know her as Whitney Dean in the iconic BBC soap opera, EastEnders, a role she held from 2008 to 2024. But her story doesn't end there! In 2025, she released the empowering single "Unapologetically Me," and then bravely entered the jungle as a contestant on the twenty-fifth series of "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!" Born in the London Borough of Barnet to Patrick McGarty and Jennifer McNamara, Shona has a younger sister, Camilla. With Irish roots, she attended St. Teresa's Catholic Primary School and later Loreto College in St. Albans. Her journey into the spotlight began with six years in amateur musical theatre, even taking on a role in "The Wizard of Oz." In 2007, she made an appearance in the short film "What Goes Around." Then came the big break. In October 2007, following the announcement of Bianca Jackson's return to EastEnders, Shona was confirmed to be joining the cast as Whitney Dean, the daughter of Bianca's deceased partner, Nathan Dean. Filming commenced in January 2008, and Whitney first graced our screens on April 1st. Early in her tenure, Whitney was involved in a sensitive storyline concerning sexual abuse, a plotline that required her parents' permission given Shona's young age of 16. While her talent shone, there were challenges. In July 2012, Shona faced suspension from EastEnders for repeated lateness to filming, a period she later described as "lazy and irresponsible." But she bounced back, performing the moving song "A Change is Gonna Come" for Children in Need in 2012. Throughout her time on the show, Whitney's storylines were impactful, including exploitation by Rob Grayson, her marriage to Lee Carter and subsequent miscarriage, being stalked by Leo King leading to a self-defense killing, and a deeply emotional pregnancy with Zack Hudson, culminating in the heartbreaking decision to terminate due to Edwards syndrome and omphalocele. In July 2023, after an incredible fifteen years, Shona announced her departure, stating she was ready to "spread her wings" and had "loved her years in the show." Her final scenes aired in 2024. Beyond Albert Square, Shona has also lent her voice to music. In 2018, she joined 26 other celebrities to record the Christmas song "Rock With Rudolph," a charity single for Great Ormond Street Hospital. In 2021, she reunited with the same team to record a cover of The Beatles' "Let It Be," this time in support of the charity Mind. And as we mentioned, 2025 saw her release her personal anthem, "Unapologetically Me," followed by her thrilling appearance on "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!" In her personal life, Shona was in a relationship with EastEnders co-star Matt Lapinskas from 2011 to 2013. She was engaged to Ryan Harris from 2018 to 2020, dated co-star Max Bowden for six months in 2022, and became engaged to musician David Bracken in 2024, though they parted ways the following year.
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Full Wikipedia Article

 Shona Bernadette McGarty (born 14 October 1991) is an English actress and singer, best known for her portrayal of Whitney Dean in the BBC soap opera EastEnders from 2008 to 2024. In 2025, she released a single "Unapologetically Me" and was a contestant on the twenty-fifth series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! == Early life == Shona Bernadette McGarty was born on 14 October 1991 in London Borough of Barnet to Patrick McGarty and Jennifer McNamara. She has a younger sister named Camilla. She is of Irish descent. McGarty attended St. Teresa's Catholic Primary School and later studied at Loreto College, St Albans. == Career == === Early work and EastEnders === McGarty was involved in amateur musical theatre for six years, including a role in Wizard of Oz. In 2007, she appeared in the short film What Goes Around. In October 2007, following the announcement that established character Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) was returning to EastEnders, McGarty was confirmed to be joining the soap as Whitney Dean; the daughter of Bianca's deceased partner Nathan Dean. McGarty began filming in January 2008, and made her first appearance as Whitney on 1 April. Early into her tenure, the character of Whitney was involved in a sexual abuse storyline in which she was groomed by Bianca's partner Tony King. McGarty who was 16 at the time, required her parents to give permission for the storyline to go ahead. In July 2012, McGarty was suspended from EastEnders by the acting executive producer Lorraine Newman "for repeatedly being late for filming". McGarty later regretted her behaviour as "lazy and irresponsible". The same year, McGarty performed the song A Change is Gonna Come for Children in Need 2012. McGarty's other storylines included being sexually exploited by Rob Grayson (Jody Latham), her marriage to Lee Carter (Danny-Boy Hatchard) and subsequent miscarriage, being stalked by Leo King (Tom Wells) which leads to her killing him in self-defence, and being impregnated by Zack Hudson (James Farrar), before discovering the baby has Edwards syndrome and omphalocele, which ultimately leads to her to terminating the pregnancy. In July 2023, McGarty announced her departure from EastEnders after fifteen years. In an interview with The Sun, McGarty said she "had decided to spread [her] wings and [would] be leaving EastEnders, whilst adding that she had "loved [her] years in the show." Her final scenes aired in 2024, following the end of her contract. === Music and other ventures === In 2018, McGarty joined 26 other celebrities and performed an original Christmas song, "Rock With Rudolph", a song written and produced by Grahame and Jack Corbyn. The song was recorded in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital and was released digitally on independent record label Saga Entertainment on 30 November 2018 under the artist name the Celebs. The music video debuted with The Sun on 29 November 2018 and had its first TV showing on Good Morning Britain on 30 November 2018. In 2021, McGarty reunited with Saga Entertainment to record a cover of the Beatles song "Let It Be", recorded at Metropolis Studios, in support of British charity Mind and released on 3 December 2021. McGarty was backed by a choir of celebrities including Georgia Hirst, Anne Hegerty, Ivan Kaye and Eunice Olumide, who performed as part of the 2021 line up of the Celebs. In October 2025, McGarty released a single "Unapologetically Me". The following month, she became a contestant on the twenty-fifth series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!. == Personal life == McGarty was in a relationship with her EastEnders co-star Matt Lapinskas from 2011 to 2013. Between 2018 and 2020, McGarty was engaged to long-term partner Ryan Harris. In 2022, McGarty dated her EastEnders co-star Max Bowden for six months. She became engaged to musician David Bracken in 2024, however they split the following year. == Filmography == === Television === === Music videos === == Discography == === Singles === == Awards and nominations == == References == == External links == Shona McGarty at IMDb Shona McGarty discography at Discogs Home Languages