Shona McGarty reveals real – and very honest reason – she quit EastEnders after 15 years
EastEnders legend Shona McGarty has spoken out behind her reason to quit the soap after 15 years.
The actress, 32, first joined the BBC One soap as Whitney Dean in 2008, as part of a revival of the Butcher/Jackson clan.
Whit’s decade and a half on Walford hasn’t been the smoothest, with the popular character being involved in some of the biggest storylines of all time, including her sexual abuse at the hands of Tony to a shocking stalking ordeal.
In the last year, viewers have seen her tragically lose daughter Peach, and after deciding to become a foster parent alongside partner Zack Hudson (James Farrar), falling pregnant.
However, with her exit story in full swing she’s currently embroiled in a shocking plot that has seen her pay a wayward neighbour of adoptive mum Bianca (Patsy Palmer) a large sum of cash in exchange for her neglected daughter.
Albert Square residents and last week revealed the truth behind her ‘fostering’ to Zack.
In an interview with The Sun, she has confessed the reason for her departure is to take on other roles before she is ‘too old’.
‘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’ she began.
‘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.
‘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.’
This week, Bianca will make another return to the show and engage in an explosive row with Britney’s mum Keeley (Kirsty J Curtis).
Shona continued: ‘I’m not gonna lie, I feel like it’s a kind of grief and I didn’t think I’d be so emotional. But seeing all the fans who had these messages and cards was just beautiful and, although I tried to keep it together, I actually fell to pieces’.
She was pictured earlier this month being showered with gifts from superfans who had queued outside of the show’s production base in Elstree, Hertfordshire, on her final filming day.
As soaps typically shoot scenes 6-8 weeks in advance, we can expect to see her on-screen departure within the next month.
