Former EastEnders actress Shona McGarty has captivated the nation with her heartfelt and courageous appearance on the 25th series of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in 2025.
From Albert Square to the Australian Jungle
Parachuting into the jungle was just the start of a profound journey for the actress, best known for playing Whitney Dean for nearly 16 years. Since her dramatic entrance, Shona has shared tearful and meaningful conversations with her campmates, revealing the real reason she signed up for the challenging reality show.
She has been openly discussing her ongoing mental health struggles, explaining that she is using the experience to find her voice and prove she is bigger than her anxiety. The 34-year-old, who celebrated her birthday just before heading to Australia, told campmates that after leaving the security of the BBC soap, she wanted to show the world who she really is away from the script.
A Look at Shona McGarty's Life and Career
Shona Bernadette McGarty was born on 14th October 1991 in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. She joined the cast of EastEnders in 2008 as Bianca Jackson's adopted daughter and became a beloved fixture on the show.
Her final scenes aired in May 2024, a decision she described as incredibly difficult. "It was a really difficult decision, because it's all I've ever known," she confessed. "I pretty much grew up on the Square, so I feel like I'm leaving home." However, she felt it was time to be brave and explore new opportunities in her career and life.
Beyond acting, Shona is also an accomplished singer. Her latest single, "Unapologetically Me," was released just a month before her jungle adventure, marking another step in her journey of self-expression.
Personal Life: A Recent Split and Future Focus
On the personal front, Shona's journey has recently included a significant change. Just weeks before flying to Australia, her relationship with Irish musician David Bracken, 38, came to an end.
The couple, who met through TikTok, had been together for two years and were engaged for one following a proposal in July 2024. Despite calling off their wedding, the split appears to be amicable. A source close to the pair stated, "They are on amicable terms, but have ended their romantic relationship."
Proving their continued friendship, David publicly supported Shona's jungle stint, sharing a photo of them together on Instagram with the caption: "Let’s go girl! You got this." This was Shona's second engagement, having previously been engaged to long-term partner Ryan Harris.
Now, with the support of her campmates and the public, Shona McGarty is embracing this new chapter, tackling her fears head-on and showing the world the strong, resilient woman behind the iconic EastEnders character.
