Shona McGarty QUITS EastEnders role as Whitney Dean after 15 years on the BBC soap as another star is written out in cast shake-up
Shona McGartey has quit her role as Whitney Dean in BBC soap EastEnders.
The actress, 31, has appeared on the show for 15 years, after joining at the age of 16 in 2008, but decided to leave after a reported cast shake up.
Shona’s shock exit comes after show bosses confirmed fan favourite Lorraine Stanley who plays Karen Taylor, will also be leaving Albert Square.
Lorraine’s character is thought to be written out at the end of the year, whilst Shona’s finals scenes will be broadcast in early 2024.
A spokesperson for EastEnders told MailOnline: ‘Shona is leaving, and bosses have decided to write the character of Karen out. We’re not adding anything further at this stage.’
No more: Shona McGarty, 31, who plays Whitney Dean and has appeared on EastEnders for 15 years, has decided to leave the show after a reported cast shake up
Fan favourite: A source said that the decision ‘wasn’t easy decision’ for Shona but that she feels now is the right time to ‘try something new’
So long: Fan favourite Lorraine Stanley who plays Karen Taylor, will also be leaving Albert Square at the end of the year
Speaking to The Sun on Sunday about her decision to leave Albert Square, Shona said: ‘I have decided to spread my wings and will be leaving EastEnders. I have loved my years in the show.’
A source told the publication that the decision ‘wasn’t easy decision’ but that Shona feels now is the right time to ‘try something new.’
They added: ‘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.’
As the adopted daughter of infamous Bianca Jackson (played by Patsy Kensit), Whitney was part of several hard-hitting storylines.
In 2008 Whitney was groomed and abused by her onscreen mum’s partner and in 2020 she killed deranged Leo King for the soap’s 35th anniversary.
Earlier this year, the soap saw Whitney face a heart-breaking decision of terminating her baby Peach after she was diagnosed with the terminal condition of Edward’s Syndrome.
The distressing scenes saw Whitney, alongside Peach’s father, Zack Hudson say their heartbreaking goodbyes.
It is thought Shona will pursue a singing career, something she hasn’t shied away from.
Entertainer: Shona is a keen singer and has already performed for Children in Need, released a charity single and other big events
In 2012, she performed on Children in Need singing Sm Cooke’s A Change is Gonna Come.
She released a charity song for Great Ormond Street Hospital in 2018 and covered The Beatles’ Let It Be in 2021 for the charity Mind.
Last year saw her sing at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance for BBC1.
The source told The Sun: ‘As well as acting, Shona loves singing and has a real musical talent, so that is one of the options available.’
The star narrowly missed out on winning the Best Leading Performer at this year’s British Soap Awards, but EastEnders bagged the big prize – Best British Soap.
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