EastEnders Star Shona McGarty Moving To Strictly Come Dancing? Opens Up About Health Issues

EastEnders iconic actor Shona McGarty, better known for her role in the show as Whitney Dean, opened up about health issues. The actress is performing her last stint on the BBC One soap and is quitting the show after 15 years.

Recently, in an interview, McGarty revealed why she had to turn down the offer from Strictly in 2021. It seems that the actress was going through something serious; keep reading to find out.

EastEnders Actor Talks About Health Issues

EastEnders star Shona McGarty is reportedly in conversation to star in the upcoming season of Strictly Come Dancing. The 32-year-old actress recently revealed that in 2021, she was offered to appear on the same show. However, she turned it down due to her anxiety issues. A little birdie now tells us, ‘ Shona would be a great fit for the show.

She’s a real favourite with soap fans and incredibly bubbly and good fun.’ She turned the opportunity down when the show approached her three years ago. Now, the actress has reportedly agreed because she has more confidence and the timing is better. ‘She won’t have to juggle the show with her commitments to EastEnders,’ the source added.

Furthermore, Shona also admitted that she snubbed the dancing show because her anxiety got the better of her. Moreover, she was too nervous to do a live show. EastEnders fans know that the show’s cast has a great record on Strictly Come Dancing, so Shona might lift the trophy in the upcoming season.

Notably, Rose Ayling-Ellis won in 2021, and Bobby Brazier made it to the finals last year. Other Albert Square favorites who showed their moves include Kellie Bright, Nigel Harman, and Emma Barton.

Whitney Dean Is Leaving The Albert Square

Shona McGarty’s character, Whitney Dean, came to Walford in 2008 as the adopted daughter of Bianca Jackson. Her character has had great storylines including sexual abuse, baby loss, kidnapping, stalking and illicit affairs. As for her dramatic send-off, the writers of the show have planned a pregnancy and cheating storyline.

Speaking about her upcoming departure from EastEnders, the actress admitted that it’s a difficult decision for her. She said, ‘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.”

Do you think Shona McGarty will return to the soap? Will Zack’s truth be revealed in front of Whitney? Tell us in the comments below. Until then