EastEnders star sensationally quits BBC soap after 15 years
SHONA McGarty is quitting EastEnders after 15 years on the BBC soap.
Popular Shona, 31, has played Whitney Dean since she was 16 but has taken the “difficult” decision to leave amid a cast shake-up.
The shock cast shake-up sees Lorraine Stanley, 47 — who plays launderette worker Karen Taylor — being written out after joining Albert Square seven years ago.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun on Sunday, Shona said: “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.”
Her final scenes will be broadcast early next year — when her contract is believed to run out — and producers are deciding on her exit storyline.
A source said: “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.
“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.
“They could decide that another soap death would create an explosive exit storyline and get people talking, but that’s always a risk actors have to take when deciding to leave.
“Shona is really looking forward to new projects and expanding her career horizon.
“It will be exciting to get her teeth into something new after so long playing one character.
“As well as acting, Shona loves singing and has a real musical talent, so that is one of the options available.”
Shona has been showcasing her singing talents since she was a teenager.
In 2012, she performed Sam Cooke’s A Change is Gonna Come on Children in Need, released a charity song for Great Ormond Street Hospital in 2018, covered The Beatles’ Let It Be in 2021 for the charity Mind and last year sang at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance for BBC1.
Shona’s character Whitney has had a rollercoaster life since arriving in Albert Square in 2008 as the adoptive daughter of Bianca Jackson, played by Patsy Palmer.
Whitney was sexually abused at 12 by Bianca’s fiancé, suffered sexual exploitation, killed her stalker, been married once and engaged three times.
In 2016 Whitney suffered a miscarriage and, more recently, her unborn baby was diagnosed with life-limiting condition Edwards syndrome.
Speaking earlier this year, Shona said: “I’ve been lucky to be trusted with such big stories. I don’t want it to stop.
“I want heartbreak and tragedy all the time if I could.”
Shona is single after dating co-star Max Bowden, 28, for six months last year.
She revealed at the British Soap Awards last month they have remained friends, saying: “We’re actually better than ever. It’s a friendship. We’re in such a good place.
“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.”
In 2013 she dated Matt Lapinskas, 34, who played Anthony Moon, but broke up with him after he was rumoured to have cheated on her.
Meanwhile, soap bosses have decided it is the end of the road for fan favourite Lorraine Stanley.
She will be written out at the end of the year.
A source said: “It’s always a tough call for bosses when deciding which characters will leave the soap, but it has to be done to keep storylines fresh and create new arcs for characters.
“Lorraine had a great run on the soap and was a real scene stealer with her comic timing and she has certainly made her mark with fans.”
Earlier this month, Portsmouth-born Lorraine announced her engagement to her partner of nine years, Mark Perez. They have a daughter together.
Last month, EastEnders won the top prize at the British Soap Awards and is expected to scoop more at the Inside Soap Awards this year.
Executive producer Chris Clenshaw has made a series of bold moves, including bringing back stalwarts Adam Woodyatt, who plays Ian Beale, and spiky Cindy, played by Michelle Collins.
HER FIVE BEST STORYLINES
WHITNEY ABUSE
WEDDED TO LEE
KILLING STALKER
BABY DRAMA
SEXY UNDIES
WILL SHE SING LIKE THIS LOT?
WE’LL miss seeing Whitney Dean around Albert Square — but Shona McGarty’s not going anywhere.
The performer, who began her career in amateur musical theatre, could follow in the footsteps of these former EastEnders stars — by pursuing a chart- topping singing career…