Shona McGarty came third on I’m A Celebrity last week. After three weeks in the Australian jungle eating bugs and doing trials, she lost out to Tom Read Wilson and the winner, Angry Ginge. Not a bad result for someone who spent 16 years playing Whitney Dean on EastEnders.
The whole thing got dominated by romance rumours with rapper Aitch, which must’ve been exhausting. But she handled it well. No drama, no meltdowns. Just got on with it.
Growing Up
Born on October 14, 1991, in Barnet, Shona McGarty is 34 years old now. She grew up Catholic and went to St Teresa’s Primary School and Loreto College in St Albans. Irish descent. It sounds like she had a normal childhood.
Shona McGarty’s sister, Camilla, is basically her twin. Only about 10 months apart, which Shona calls “Irish twins”. Camilla visited her in the jungle, and it was very emotional. Shona ran down to the creek, jumped on her, and burst into tears. Then Camilla said, “You smell like a foot,” which is exactly what sisters do.
The EastEnders Stint
Shona joined EastEnders in 2008 at 16. Whitney Dean was Bianca Jackson’s daughter. From the start, the character went through hell. The storyline with Tony King involved sexual abuse.
The character was married to Lee Carter during this period. Miscarriage. Stalking. Killing someone. She became pregnant and gave birth to a baby who was diagnosed with Edwards syndrome.
Heavy stuff for a teenager. But she did it for 16 years. That’s longer than most people’s entire careers.
In 2012, she got suspended once for being repeatedly late to filming. She referred to her own behaviour as being “lazy and irresponsible, which requires a certain level of maturity to admit that. Most people would’ve made excuses.
In 2023, she announced she was leaving. Wanted to “spread her wings” before getting too old. Her final scenes aired in 2024.
Music Career
Shona’s always been into singing. She did amateur musical theatre for six years before EastEnders, including Wizard of Oz. Over the years, she has released charity singles. “Rock With Rudolph” in 2018 for Great Ormond Street Hospital. “Let It Be” in 2021 for Mind.
In October 2025, shortly before she went into the jungle, she released Unapologetically Me. Her own single. That is what happens when you leave a soap. You’ve finally got time for your own projects.
Is Shona McGarty Married?
Nope. Never has been. But she’s been engaged twice.
Her first engagement was with electrician/musician Ryan Harris. They were together from 2013, got engaged in 2018, but split in 2020. She has always maintained that their split was amicable, and they’d both grown.
Her second engagement was to musician David Bracken. They got engaged in 2024. That came to an end this year before the jungle. Some articles cited a stalking incident that led to police involvement, but details have not been forthcoming.
Before them, she dated EastEnders’ Matt Lapinskas from 2011 to 2013. This was followed by Max Bowden, who played Ben Mitchell in EastEnders, for six months in 2022. So yeah, she’s had relationships, but none that stuck.
Shona McGarty Kids
“She doesn’t have any children. Shona McGarty doesn’t have a baby either.” Whitney Dean on EastEnders had loads of pregnancy storylines, but that’s just telly. In real life, Shona’s focused on her career.
The Aitch Thing
The I’m A Celebrity experience got overshadowed by romance rumours with Aitch, who’s 25. Nine years younger. They became close in the jungle, bonding over music. Aitch told another contestant he had “a soft spot” for Shona, which set everyone talking.
Ant and Dec were desperate for a jungle romance. Viewers saw Aitch and Shona cuddling during trials and play-fighting. But both shut it down immediately after leaving.
Shona told Lorraine that the rumours were “rubbish“. She said he’s too young, that she felt like an older sister. They bonded over music because they’re both pursuing singing careers, but that’s it.
Aitch agreed. Ruby Wax, their campmate, backed this up. Shona told Ruby that Aitch wasn’t her type. Shona apparently likes “heavy, bigger men. Aitch didn’t fit.
Camilla was asked about it at Brisbane airport. She said Aitch seemed nice, but she didn’t see it romantically. It felt more like a brother and sister relationship.
Social Media
Her Instagram has about 732,000 followers. That’s quite a lot, actually. But she’s not one of those celebrities posting constantly. Shona McGarty TikTok and Instagram are where she posts regularly about what she is doing at the moment and her shows, as well as behind the scenes. Nothing attention-seeking.
Shona McGarty Eyes
People comment on her eyes a lot. Striking blue eyes that really stand out, especially with dark hair. Over 16 years on Whitney Dean, those eyes showed every emotion possible. She’s got an expressive face, which helps when you’re acting.
What Happens Now?
She was third in I’m A Celebrity. Recently, she dropped her first single. Left EastEnders. What’s next?
Music seems to be the plan. She’s been talking about a music career for years. Now she’s actually doing it. Whether it works out, who knows? The music industry’s brutal. But at least she’s trying.
She’s also living in rural Ireland now. Moved to Pullough, County Offaly, with her ex, David, before they split. Quiet life. It’s hard to blame them after years in the glare of Albert Square’s spotlight.
At 34, she is still young enough to start something fresh. Old enough to want what she wants. She spent half her life on one TV show. Now she’s free to do as she pleases.
Will she go back to acting? Maybe. Will music work out? Possibly. Will she get married and have Shona McGarty’s kids eventually? Perhaps. But right now, she’s just working out who Shona McGarty is when she’s not Whitney Dean.
After 16 years playing someone else, that’s probably the healthiest thing she could do. And after coming third in the jungle whilst dealing with romance rumours and anxiety and everything else, she’s proven she can handle whatever comes next.
Just maybe without the bugs this time.
