EastEnders star Shona McGarty reveals reason she's leaving soap

Whitney Dean and Zack Hudson have a drink at the Vic

EastEnders favourite Shona McGarty is leaving the soap after 15 years. (Image credit: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

EastEnders star Shona McGarty has revealed exactly why she decided to leave the BBC show.

The actor has played Whitney Dean since she was 16 years old but has made the decision to leave EastEnders during a cast shake-up, saying she wants to "spread her wings".

Speaking to The Sun on Sunday, Shona said, “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.”

EastEnders is set for a cast shake-up soon, which will also see Lorraine Stanley, who plays Karen Taylor in the BBC soap, being written out. Her final scenes will air later this year.

Karen Taylor sitting on a chair wearing a striped knitted jumper and grey jeans. — Lorraine Stanley is being written out of the soap. (Image credit: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

A source told The Sun on Sunday regarding Shona's departure, “It wasn’t an easy decision for Shona to make and she is gutted to be walking away from her soap family, especially as she has grown up on set with most of them. She’ll be sorely missed by the cast.

“But she feels like now is the right time in her life to step away and try something new."

So can we expect to see Whitney making a return to Walford?

“She is hoping the door will be left open for her character to return one day, but nothing is guaranteed and it is all in the hands of the scriptwriters.

Whitney Dean confides in Kat Slater — Shona has quit her role of Whitney Dean after 15 years. (Image credit: BBC)

“They could decide that another soap death would create an explosive exit storyline and get people talking, but that’s always a risk actors have to take when deciding to leave.

“Shona is really looking forward to new projects and expanding her career horizon.

"It will be exciting to get her teeth into something new after so long playing one character.

“As well as acting, Shona loves singing and has a real musical talent, so that is one of the options available.”

We can't wait to see what Shona does next!

EastEnders airs Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 7.30 pm on BBC One — see our TV Guide for full listings. You can also catch up on episodes on BBC iPlayer now.

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