Shona McGarty has said she “feels like she’s leaving home” as she opened up about the real reason she’s leaving EastEnders.
The actress, 32, who joined the soap at the age of 16 in 2008 playing the iconic Whitney Dean, revealed she would be leaving the soap in July after playing the long-running character for 16 years.
Shona has now revealed that it was a “really difficult” decision to leave the soap, but has decided she wants to explore “other opportunities” before she is “too old”.
She said Sun: ‘It was a really difficult decision, because it’s all I’ve ever known. I practically grew up in the Plaza, so I feel like I’m leaving home. But I had to put on my big girl pants and be very brave, because life is very 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! Everything comes to an end and this is the new chapter of my life.
Shona McGarty has said she “feels like she’s leaving home” as she opened up about the real reason she’s leaving EastEnders on Sunday.
Shona has now revealed that it was a “really difficult” decision to leave the soap, but has decided she wants to explore “other opportunities” before she is “too old”.
The actress, 32, who joined the soap at the age of 16 in 2008 playing the iconic Whitney Dean, revealed she would be quitting in July after playing the long-running character for 16 years (pictured in 2008 ).
“So even though it was a big decision, once I made it, I was pretty determined that it 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 BBC star filmed her final scenes earlier this month and was greeted by fans outside Elstree studios as she headed home.
Shona added: “I’m not going to lie, I feel like it’s kind of a pain and I didn’t think I’d be this excited.” But seeing all the fans who had these messages and cards was just beautiful and even though I tried to stay calm, I actually broke down.”
She was seen smiling as she drove home from work and stopped at the door to pose for selfies with fans who had gathered outside.
The soap opera star took his time leaving video messages while signing autographs and chatting with the crowd.
Shona’s car was filled with flowers, cards and gifts from her co-stars when she left the studio for the last time.
Shona’s character Whitney returned to Walford in 2008 as the adopted daughter of Bianca Jackson (played by Patsy Palmer).
She has been at the center of countless hard-hitting stories, including stalking, sexual abuse, baby loss, kidnapping, stalking and illicit affairs.
Whitney received a dramatic send-off that follows a shocking pregnancy story.
She said: “It was a really difficult decision, because it’s all I’ve ever known.” There are other opportunities and areas of the industry I want to explore before I get too old! Everything comes to an end and this is the new chapter of my life’ (pictured in 2022)
Shona added: “I’m not going to lie, I feel like it’s kind of a pain and I didn’t think I’d be this excited” (pictured in 2022).
Shona’s character, Whitney, returned to Walford in 2008 as the adopted daughter of Bianca Jackson (played by Patsy Palmer left). In 2020, she killed off the deranged Leo King for the soap’s 35th anniversary (pictured in 2008).
The character and his partner Zack Hudson (played by James Farrar) have been trying to have a baby for a long time.
She previously ended a pregnancy after discovering her little girl had Edwards syndrome, which meant her baby would not have survived long after birth.
Whitney was completely devastated by the loss and swore she would never try to have a biological child again, so she and Zack set out to get foster care.
The couple ended up looking after young Ashton over the Christmas period, however he was soon adopted leaving the couple more alone than ever.
In 2008, Whitney was groomed and abused by her mother’s on-screen partner and in 2020 she killed the deranged Leo King for the soap’s 35th anniversary.
It’s unknown what the actress will do next, but she revealed that she only had a week off after filming her final episode before starting a top-secret new project.
However, Shona is likely to do something with music as she regularly posts videos of her singing on social media.
In 2012, she performed on Children in Need singing A Change is Gonna Come by Sm Cooke.
She has also been part of a series of hard-hitting stories including grooming, sexual abuse, baby loss, kidnapping, stalking and illicit affairs (pictured with partner Zack Hudson, played by James Farrar).
He released a charity song for Great Ormond Street Hospital in 2018 and covered The Beatles’ Let It Be in 2021 for the Mind charity.
In 2022, Shona sang at the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall for BBC1.
He added that “singing is his first love” and revealed that he has already “written a lot of songs” and would love to release an album one day.
