EastEnders' Shona McGarty bags first new show since explosive soap exit - and it's worlds away from Walford

Daily Mail​

22-04-2025

EastEnders star Shona McGarty has bagged first new show since her explosive soap exit last year - and it's worlds away from Walford.
The actress, 33, left the BBC show in April last year after 16 years of playing her iconic alter-ego Whitney Dean.
Since leaving EastEnders, the star has been able to pursue other things and has been busy in the recording studio and even presented a gong at the Beauty Awards in November.
But fans will be happy to know that they'll be able to watch Shona perform as Bettie Page in Bettie Page, Queen of Pin-Ups – The Musical in June.
The show will be on June 9 at Lyric Theatre in central London, running for 90 minutes with no interval, and tickets cost from £15.
The synopsis reads: 'She Was Never The Girl Next Door.
'This revealing new bio-musical tells the story of the original revolutionary pin-up model, and pop culture icon, Bettie Page.
'All Bettie wants is to escape her circumstances and live a normal life, yet when she discovers glamour photography in the 1950s, all she wants is the right to be able to do it.
'Bettie's iconic status is born out of her fierce feminism and fight for personal liberties.
'Bettie Page, Queen of Pin-Ups – The Musical chronicles her quest for freedom of expression through seminal moments in history, original songs, and the greatest hits of the 50s and 60s.'
Shona and the show's Instagram account announced the news by saying: 'Delighted to announce EastEnders star Shona McGarty as our very own Bettie Page. '
Many rushed to the comments section to share their excitement.
One wrote: 'Oh this looks Fantastic would love to watch this. Looks good.'
'Amazing darling well done! Xxx.'
Over the years Shona had been involved in a number of hard-hitting storylines including being groomed by her mum Bianca's boyfriend, her marriage to Lee Carter and her unborn baby being diagnosed with Edward's Syndrome
'Aww huge congrats Shona that's fab.'
'Omg an icon playing an icon! Congratulations.'
This is totally different to her playing Whitney in EastEnders, a role she took on from the age of 16.
But Shona is no stranger to the music industry, having performed live a number of times and regularly sharing videos of her showing off her incredible singing voice on social media.
The star has also released a number of singles including A Change is Gonna Come, Rock with Rudolph and Let It Be.
Over the years Shona had been involved in a number of hard-hitting storylines including being groomed by her mum Bianca's boyfriend, her marriage to Lee Carter and her unborn baby being diagnosed with Edward's Syndrome.
Back in July 2023 it was revealed that Shona had quit her EastEnders role.
A spokesperson for EastEnders told MailOnline: 'Shona is leaving, and bosses have decided to write the character of Karen out. We're not adding anything further at this stage.'
Then in August she broke her silence telling Inside Soap Magazine: 'It wasn't an easy decision because I've made so many friends.
'I've seen people come and go, and meanwhile, Whitney has been one of the longest-standing characters.
'I've had so much fun and done so many storylines, some of which have been sensitive, and I've been honoured to be trusted with such heavy stuff, year after year.'
In April last year she filmed her final scenes as her iconic alter-ego and later revealed the real reason why she quit.
She told The Sun: '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. 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.'