EastEnders icon Shona McGarty has shared the exciting news that she’s engaged to her boyfriend, Irish musician David Bracken.
The soap star’s other half got down on one knee in London’s Holland Park, with Shona saying she had ‘no idea’ he was planning to pop the question.
Speaking about his proposal, David explained that it was touch-and-go for a moment, as their romantic picnic was almost thwarted by police.
The music star – who is a member of the band Blessed and met Shona last year – explained that cops showed up ‘close to the park’ and he had to plead with them to give him ‘five minutes’ so he could propose.
‘I went over to the police, who said, “Sorry, we are just closing up the park.” I said, “Would you mind giving me five minutes as I am about to propose to my partner?” He looked at his watch and said, “Of course, and best of luck”.’
He added to OK! Magazine: ‘So, 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.’
The proposal happened in a quiet corner of Kyoto Garden, which Shona said was a special location for her.
‘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,’ she added of the proposal.
David had no idea that Shona was in EastEnders when they first got together.
He initially reached out after watching her TikToks, sending a message to ask if she wanted to duet.
Sparks soon began to fly and Shona knew early on that not only was her relationship with David ‘different’ to past ones, but he was ‘the one’.
They soon made their relationship Instagram-official with a post in September, showing their hands intertwined and Shona’s caption reading: ‘I promise.’
While it’s only been a brief minute since they got engaged, Shona and David have already started planning their big day, having browsed colour schemes and locations.
They’re hoping to tie the knot in 2025 and are even considering a Christmas wedding.
As for the location, while nothing is set in stone, Shona predicts they will probably wed in Ireland, where both she and David have family.
She added that the guest list will be packed with EastEnders cast members, who have been ‘a big part’ of the lovebirds’ journey.
The couple’s happy news comes Shona made her departure from Albert Square.
Earlier this year, after 16 years of playing Whitney Dean, she bid farewell to soap life.
In her tearful final scenes, Whitney left Walford for Wakefield, where she would live with her brother, Ryan Malloy (Neil McDermott).
