Shona McGarty breaks down on ‘floods of tears’ after dramatic EastEnders exit
Shona has left the BBC show after 16 years to explore new ventures
SHONA McGarty shared her emotional reaction as her EastEnders exit aired.
The actress, 32, joined the BBC soap in 2008 as Whitney Dean, adoptive daughter to show icon Bianca Jackson.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Shona revealed she hadn’t yet watched her finale.
The actress and singer added she was left in ‘floods of tears’ by a tribute video shared on the soap’s account on the social media platform.
She wrote: “Haven’t watched my last episode, as I’m waiting to be on the sofa, surrounded by family… but my mum sent me this video and said, I HAVE to watch this!
“I am sitting here in blooming floods of tears! My heart is so full! THANK YOU @bbceastenders for this! I LOVE YOU”, adding a heart emoji.
Shona announced her departure from EastEnders last year after a 15-year stint, sharing she wanted to explore other opportunities.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun, Shona shared: “I have decided to spread my wings and will be leaving EastEnders. I have loved my years in the show.
“I have been trusted with some incredible storylines and have made amazing friendships — and family — which will endure.”
Her last scenes played out in Thursday’s episode.
Whitney, newborn daughter Dolly and foster daughter Britney headed for Wakefield to stay with Whitney’s brother Ryan Malloy.
Her departure from Albert Square saw her cut cheating fiancé Zack Hudson and former best friend Lauren Branning out of her life.
Whitney learned on her wedding day that Zack had slept with Lauren weeks before.
The truth came out after Britney spilled the beans, following Zack having asked her to keep quiet.
Meanwhile Bianca had also been aware of Zack and Lauren’s betrayal before the wedding.
As a result, Whitney exiled her adoptive mother from her life, disgusted that she had known and not told her.
It comes as EastEnders fans slammed the show after noticing a ‘glaring error’ in Whitney’s wedding dress.
Viewers described Whitney getting into her huge gown- complete with beehive hairdo covered in diamonds – just days after giving birth as “unrealistic.”
One wrote: “Love Eastenders, but seriously – who wrote this storyline? Getting married in a big white dress a couple of days after giving birth – could only have been written by a man!!”
Another added: “She looks just Fabulous ( i know it’s not real ) would a new mum really want to get wed like this a day after giving birth?”
Since arriving in Walford, Whitney was central to several hard-hitting storylines.
They range from grooming, baby loss, stalking, sexual abuse and illicit affairs.
EastEnders airs on BBC One and is available on BBC iPlayer.
