BBC EastEnders star Shona McGarty reveals reason she quit soap after 16 years
Shona McGarty left EastEnders viewers devastated when she announced her decision to quit the BBC soap and now the actress, who arrived as Whitney Dean 16 years ago, has explained why she wanted to leave
Shona McGarty has revealed why she wanted to quit EastEnders.
The actress, who joined the BBC soap in 2008, stars as Whitney Dean, whose exit is currently playing out on screen. Whitney’s character was introduced as part of a revival of the Butcher/Jackson clan and the actress has dealt with some very hard-hitting storylines over the years.
Whitney came to Walford with her step-mum Bianca Jackson, played by Patsy Palmer, and was embroiled in a shocking sexual abuse storyline with Bianca’s boyfriend Tony. In the last year, Whitney has faced the tragic lost of her daughter before falling pregnant with Zack Hudson (James Farrar) for a second time after deciding to become foster parents.
Her exit storyline has seen her lie to Zack about paying the neighbour of Bianca a large sum of money in exchange for her neglected daughter, Britney. Speaking about her upcoming departure, Shona admitted: “It was a really difficult decision, because it’s all I’ve ever known. I pretty much grew up on the Square, so I feel like I’m leaving home.
“But I had to put on my big girl pants and be quite brave, because life is so short, and you feel that more and more as you get older. There are other opportunities and areas of the industry I want to explore before I get too old! All things come to an end and this is the new chapter of my life.”
Whitney paid Bianca’s neighbour in exchange for her neglected daughter Britney (
BBC/Jack Barnes/Matt Burlem)
She told The Sun: “So although it was a big decision, once I’d made it, I was quite resolute that this was something I had to do. I mean, 16 years is amazing. I’ve had a really good run and Whitney needs a break.”
The actress took to Instagram last month to praise the BBC soap for her exit storyline as viewers watched her take Britney under her wing. She wrote: “What @bbceastenders always do so well, is rewrite, and relive history, and beautiful memories through story.
“They spark old memories in the viewers. Reminders of how much time has passed, and remind the audience of what a journey a long running character like Whitney has been on. They’ve captured a young ‘Whitney Dean’ in ‘Britney’… Just a pleasure creating and moulding these moments from paper to screen, and there’s SO much more to come!
“Thank you Lola, (Britney) thank you Eastenders, and of course, a huge thank you to the extremely talented writers! X.” Shona was pictured earlier this month saying goodbye to fans who had queued outside of the show’s filming base in Elstree, Hertfordshire on her final day.
The EastEnders stalwart was showering with gifts as fans praised the beloved Walford star. It’s expected Whitney’s character will depart Albert Square within the next month as EastEnders typical shoots scenes six to eight weeks in advance.
