'EastEnders' fans speechless after Shona McGarty reveals secret singing talent

EastEnders Whitney Dean sings on stage
EastEnders fans have been blown away by Shona's singing talents. (Image credit: BBC)

EastEnders fans have been left speechless after seeing Shona McGarty showcase her singing talents in last night's episode. 

The actress, who has played Whitney Dean since 2008 is currently in the middle of a huge new storyline that sees her character embarking on a new career as a singer after Terry 'Rocky' Cant realised she had a beautiful singing voice. 

Despite Whiney's reluctance to stand on stage and let everyone hear her sing, Sonia's dad wasn't going to take no for an answer and soon she found herself booked into a gig at the Queen Vic. 

Last night's episode of EastEnders saw Whitney trying to back out of the charity gig, which Rocky had set up with the hope that she would then be able to enter a talent contest and win a cash prize of £10,000. 

Shona McGarty sings on stage as Whitney Dean in EastEnders

Whitney was nervous at first, but she soon found her stride on stage.  (Image credit: BBC)

Thankfully Rocky managed to convince Whitney to take to the stage and sing her heart out... and fans were left speechless when Shona's character started to belt out some Leona Lewis classics. 

Viewers took to social media in their droves to praise the EastEnders star on her singing talents... 

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But it wasn't just fans who were full of praise. 

Shona's EastEnders co-stars also took to their social media accounts to tell the world how talented she is, including Max Bowden who plays Ben Mitchell and Lorraine Stanley who fans know as Karen Taylor... 

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But while Whitney's days of working on a clothes stall in the market could be coming to an end if she makes it as a singer, Tiffany Butcher-Baker was having the worst day of her life when Vinny Panesar dropped the bombshell that her husband Keegan, had cheated on her with their friend Dotty Cotton. 

Tiffany is stunned when Vinny reveals Keegan cheated with Dotty in EastEnders

Tiff's world fell apart when she heard that Keegan had cheated.  (Image credit: BBC)

Tiffany's world fell apart as Vinny revealed that the real reason Keegan has been acting so distantly with her is because he's been unfaithful. But while Tiff was stunned into silence, Keegan has no idea his wife knows about his infidelity.

Vinny, who is head-over-heels for Dotty, overheard Keegan and Dotty talking in Ruby's office, both agreeing to keep their moment of passion to themselves. But now the secret is out, tonight's EastEnders promises to be one not to be missed.

EastEnders airs Mondays at 8.05pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.35pm and Fridays at 8.30pm on BBC One - see our TV Guide for full listings. You can also watch all of this week’s episodes on BBC iPlayer now. 

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 


After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off


She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 


As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.