EastEnders star Shona McGarty is set to swap Albert Square for the Australian jungle as she joins the line-up for ITV’s I’m A Celebrity.
The 34-year-old actress, who is best known for her role as Whitney Dean on the BBC soap, has been keeping a low profile since leaving EastEnders last year. Apart from news of her engagement to Irish musician David Bracken, she’s remained largely out of the spotlight.
However, recent whispers suggest that the couple may have called it quits.
While dealing with a break up is never easy, Shona has also had to cope with personal heartbreak, including a particularly tough moment in January last year which she described as the “hardest decision of my life”. The actress had to bid farewell to her beloved pet dog Coco.
She shared how the pooch had been there for her during some of her most challenging times and struggles, providing an emotional update to fans when she announced the sad news, reports the Mirror.
Taking to Instagram at the time, she wrote: “Today has been one of the hardest decisions I’ll ever make. My beautiful fur baby Coco Chanel, will be put to sleep at 3.30pm.
“Coco has fought through heart failure for years. I’ve done everything I could, every treatment, every medication, but they just aren’t working anymore, and my brave little bubba has had enough. And even though you’re so sick, you still kiss my nose.”
BBC presenter Shona McGarty shared her heartache over the loss of her beloved dog Coco, revealing that she had been away from home working on a pantomime for six weeks prior to the pet’s passing. She admitted to missing Coco “like crazy” during this period and sadly noted that Coco’s health had “really deteriorated”.
In a touching tribute, she said: “Myself and your little sister Cece, will miss your happy little face, and gorgeous minstrel eyes, my precious little ‘Coco bean’ my silly ‘Coco Loco’.
“Thank you for the best 10 years of my life. You know all my fears, [anxieties], and secrets. You saw me through some of the worst times and struggles in my life. We’ll never forget you. I love you.”
Fast forward 18 months since her emotional farewell to Coco, Shona is now preparing for a new adventure as she joins the cast of ITV’s I’m A Celebrity in Australia. The former EastEnders actress was spotted at the airport sans her engagement ring, sparking rumours of a split from her fiancé David Bracken.
Although the breakup hasn’t been officially confirmed, Shona’s response to the Daily Mail when asked what she would miss about the UK was quite telling: “Not a lot.'”.
Shona and David announced their engagement last year after David popped the question in London’s Holland Park. The pair met on TikTok and David proposed on their first anniversary, just before they jetted off for a holiday in Ireland together.
David, who serves as lead guitarist for the Galway-based band Blessed, proposed in the Japanese Kyoto Garden situated in London’s Holland Park and recounted the romantic moment during an interview with OK!, explaining: “I told Shona to go stand at the waterfall in the park. I then put on our favourite song and had a dance with her before getting down on one knee.”
Shona said: “I love Japanese culture and the spirituality of it. He brought a picnic which was really sweet. It was lovely, I was in my element but I didn’t think he was going to propose at all.”
Shona is most recognised for portraying Whitney Dean in EastEnders, a character she brought to life for 16 years before departing in 2024. Confirming her departure in a statement, she shared with fans: “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.”