Latest news with #ShonaMcGarty
Daily Mail
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EastEnders icon whose departure from the Square was called 'the end of an era' is unrecognisable with sixties inspired new look... can you guess who it is?
She left Albert Square last year after 16 years on EastEnders. Her surprise departure, and emotional exit storyline, had fans sobbing as they dubbed it the 'end of an era'. Since quitting her soap role, this actress has sought out new acting ventures and recently made her West End debut. And in a new Instagram snap, the star is unrecognisable, ditching her signature soap look for glam sixties inspired makeup and a short bob haircut. But can you guess who this iconic soap star is? It's EastEnders favourite Shona McGarty! The actress showed off her retro look in new social media snaps over the weekend, posing in sparkling blue eye makeup teamed with a figure hugging baby blue dress. Shona has been trying out new looks as she turns her hand to singing, belting out classics at club nights alongside recording some new music in the studio. The busy star also recently wrapped up her West End debut in the musical Queen of the Pin-Ups, playing Bettie Page. Shona, 33, who portrayed legend Whitney Dean on EastEnders for over 16 years, bid an emotional farewell tp her character back in May to 'explore other opportunities,' explaining that she wanted to try out new ventures before she felt 'too old'. Explaining that turning 30 had changed her perspective on things, Shona admitted: '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.' Her character's departure was named the 'end of an era' by fans who were left 'crying' as they struggled to watch. But, luckily for Shona soap bosses have left the door open, with Whitey moving to Wakefield to be closer to her brother, Ryan Malloy. 'I left on the bus and not under it, so for that I'm really grateful,' the soapstar told The Sun. 'I would absolutely go back to EastEnders - it's 16 years of creating a family, I grew up on that show.' Shona added that she has maintained a good relationship with EastEnders, but there is no scope for her to return right away. Whitney made her debut in 2008, aged 16, and has been at the centre of multiple explosive storylines over the last 16 years. But her most recent, potentially her last, was the most heartbreaking so far. Her final episodes in May, saw Whitney's partner and father to her newborn Dolly, Zack Hudson, break her heart after he cheated with childhood pal Lauren Branning. Unable to cope with the betrayal, she decided it was her time to say goodbye to her home in Walford and move to Wakefield to be closer to her brother, Ryan Malloy. The new mother's big plans were initially overwhelming, but she felt reassured when her adoptive mother, Bianca, offered to join her. This plan soon crashed and burned as Whitney felt betrayed once more when she learned Bianca knew all along about Zack and Lauren's secret and didn't tell her. Whitney refused to let Bianca join her and decided to leave alone with Dolly and her foster child, Britney Wainwright. Before jumping on the bus to escape the heartache and suffering, Whitney attempted closure by meeting with Zack and Lauren separately. After an emotional final goodbye at her leaving do in the Vic, residents walked Whitney to her bus stop and soap extras gave her a hug and kiss on the way. Whitney held her head high and quietly sobbed as she made her way through the square for the final time - a scene so emotional that fans at home were reduced to tears and begged for her return in the future.
The Sun
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
EastEnders star plans pop career as she hits the studio with Kylie and Westlife producer months after quitting Walford
A FORMER EastEnders star is planning a huge pop career - months after leaving Albert Square. Shona McGarty played popular Whitney Dean from 2008 until leaving in 2024. 4 4 Taking to Instagram, the star posted a photo of herself alongside musician and record producer Steve Anderson. She captioned: "My happy place! Working with @mrsteveanderson is an absolute dream, we got so much accomplished in our studio session yesterday, and I feel it is all coming together nicely. "Do you guys want a little sneak peek at something we recorded?" One fan commented: "No way! This is awesome x." Another wrote: "Sneak peak pleaseeee! You're looking beautiful girl so proud of you girl." A third added: "Yes can't wait to hear your music Shona." While a fourth shared: "So happy for you! You deserve every bit of happiness and success." Through the production group Brothers in Rhythym, Steve has worked with artists including Kylie Minogue and Westlife. As for Shona, the actress first announced her decision to leave EastEnders back in 2023. Speaking exclusively 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.' Whitney's final storylines built towards her wedding with fiancé Zack Hudson. It saw her adoptive mother - and show legend - Bianca Jackson make a comeback to the Square. However, Whitney was left devastated upon learning Zack cheated on her on her wedding day and furiously called the whole thing off. She told Zack: 'It's OK that you didn't love me enough. Maybe I didn't love you enough either, because if I did then maybe I wouldn't have lied to you about Britney? 'I feel that love for Peach, we both do. But do you think maybe that love and that pain kept us together for longer than it should have. 'It gave us Dolly though and I'll never regret the time we had together but it's over.' After cutting ties with Bianca - who'd kept quiet about Zack's infidelity Whitney left alongside Britney and Dolly for a new life in Wakefield. While she got a prestigious Julia's Theme send-off, viewers weren't too pleased with Whitney's exit. One wrote: "#EastEnders this is possibly up there with the worst ending especially for Whitney. I wish her and Jay got together had a baby and left the square happily ever after.' Most complained about soap storylines Over the years, all three of the main soaps have featured plots that have had even die-hard fans reaching for their phones and laptops so they can get in touch with Ofcom and complain. Here are just some of the most scandalous... EastEnders baby theft: 13,400 Ofcom complaints - Back in 2011, EastEnders was flooded with complaints when Ronnie Branning (RIP) swapped her baby for the dead son of Kat Moon. The storyline drew the most number of objections in the soap's long history and saw it roundly criticised by campaigners - with 13,400 flying in over the course of the storyline. Some viewers called it 'distressing' and 'horrific' but Ofcom ruled the scenes were not "unduly disturbing'. Emmerdale dog-napping: 550 Ofcom complaints - Back in 2016, Ross Barton and Charity Dingle came up with a plan to steal a dog and hold it ransom - but viewers didn't like it one bit. The nation's pet owners rose up, insisting the storyline would encourage copycats (not to mention copydogs). Complaints over two episodes totalled a staggering 550 and soap writers quickly learnt you don't mess with animal-lovers. Coronation Street double murder: 546 Ofcom complaints - Marginally less people complained about a gruesome double murder than objected to a dog-napping plot when Pat Phelan was at the centre of a spate of killings. First he forced Andy Carver to shoot dead Vinny Ashford - and then Pat killed Andy. All the bloodshed back in 2017 proved to be too much for some viewers, who lodged complaints in vast numbers about the 'violent scenes'. Another added: 'Shona McGarty's final episode might quite possibly be one of the worst episodes I've ever endured. That's exactly what it felt like. I had to endure it. "I never wanna hear the names Whitney, Britney or Peach & the phrase 'what's best for my daughters Zack' ever again. #Eastenders' A third remarked: "Worst exit story ever, Whitney deserved better after all the trauma they put her through on this show. Logging out until Christmas, what a disappointment #Eastenders." EastEnders airs on BBC One and iPlayer. 4
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EastEnders star Lorraine Stanley hits back at brutal grandmother assumptions on TikTok after her shocking five-stone weight loss
Former EastEnders star Lorraine Stanley has hit back at savage comments asking if she was a grandmother on TikTok videos with her daughter. The actress, 48, who starred as much-loved Karen Taylor on the BBC soap until July 2023, frequently takes to social media to show off her five stone weight loss, after undergoing gastric sleeve surgery. And while her fans are frequently full of praise for her new slimmed-down look, a recent video saw several followers saying she looked like a grandma. The clip saw Lorraine dancing a choreographed routine with her 10-year-old daughter Nancy, to Maroon 5 and SZA's track What Lovers Do. The soap star beamed as she displayed her slender frame and toned legs in a grey minidress, while laughing alongside her little girl. Captioning the fun-filled TikTok, she wrote: 'It's been a while!' and added the hashtag '#motherdaughter'. But despite the clarification, several followers took to the comments to brutally presume that Nancy was Lorraine's grandchild, rather than her daughter. They wrote: 'Nothing better than seeing a grandparent have that kind of fun with their grandchild' and 'Is that your granddaughter?' However, Lorraine was quick to shut them down, pointedly replying: 'Daughter. #motherdaughter is a bit of a clue.' Her fans also jumped to her defence, saying: 'Tell em!!!!' and hitting back at the original comments by saying: 'Why did you think that was an appropriate comment to make?' While her fellow EastEnders alum, Shona McGarty - who played Whitney Dean from 2008 until last year - was also quick to send praise to Lorraine. Commenting on the clip, she gushed: 'Lou! Love this x x You look great! Xxx', while Lorraine replied: 'Thank you mate!!!! Lots of love ❤️❤️❤️xxxx'. Since last year, Lorraine has undergone a body transformation and has shared glimpses with her social media followers along the way. The TV star revealed that she had lost five stone in just 12 months and gushed that she feels better than ever. But despite the clarification, several followers took to the comments to brutally presume that Nancy was Lorraine's grandchild, rather than her daughter Initially remaining coy on how she had managed to shed the pounds so quickly, fans soon began to speculate if she'd utilised a new diet or a popular Ozempic style jab. But in April, Lorraine finally confessed the secret behind her weight loss, as she shared a TikTok video of her transformation journey, revealing she'd undergone gastric sleeve surgery. Gastric sleeve surgery is a weight loss operation that involves removing a large portion of the stomach, leaving behind a small 'sleeve' that helps restrict food intake. As fans praised her for her honesty, Lorraine admitted: 'I was slightly embarrassed to tell the world I'd had surgery'. While she added: 'I wish I could say it was through diet, but I did have to change my diet & still have to work hard to eat the right stuff to maintain it.' She's gone on to share hacks with fans for a healthier lifestyle and frequently praised her pal and fitness guru Louise, as well as her nutritionist friend which 'clued her up when it came to what she was eating day-to-day'. Her gruelling daily workouts and a well-balanced food regime had a positive impact in Lorraine's life, who said of her journey: 'I'm enjoying it and I feel better for it.' Spilling her diet hacks while chatting to Woman's Own magazine this month, she said: 'My mate Louise is my fitness guru. I've got her to thank for it.' However, Lorraine was quick to shut them down, pointedly replying: ' Daughter. #motherdaughter is a bit of a clue' while her fans also jumped to her defence While her fellow EastEnders alum, Shona McGarty - who played Whitney Dean from 2008 until last year - was also quick to send praise to Lorraine Since last year, Lorraine has undergone a body transformation, revealing that she had lost five stone in just 12 months and gushed that she feels better than ever The actress - who lost 12lbs in her first six weeks on the new diet - recalled: 'I've eaten a lot of boiled eggs, fish, chicken, no carbs, no crisps and no chocolate.' Lorraine first starred on EastEnders as Thelma Bragg for a string of episode in 2016, before returning to Walford on a permanent basis as Karen the following year. However, her character was written out of the series in 2023 as part of a shock cast shake-up, with her final scenes were airing that December. While she has appeared for a few guest stints since, Lorraine previously revealed she is struggling to find new acting gigs following her shock axing. She later shared some of her struggles in a candid Instagram story - as she looked for new acting roles after starring on the BBC series for seven years. But she told The Sun last year that she wouldn't want to go back to Albert Square anytime soon, saying: 'At the moment I wouldn't go back, I'm happy doing what I'm doing. They've left the door open, so never say never.'
Daily Mirror
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Barbara Windsor's touching advice which inspired EastEnders star's career move
Shona McGarty quit her role as Whitney Dean last April after 16 years on the soap, and is now getting ready to star in a new West End production Former EastEnders favourite Shona McGarty is stepping into a new chapter of her career, and says the late Dame Barbara Windsor would have been behind her every step of the way. During an appearance on Lorraine this morning (June 4), Shona spoke about her upcoming role in Bettie Page, Queen of Pin-Ups – The Musical. Ranvir Singh pointed out the striking similarities between Barbara's glamorous EastEnders character and Shona's new part, saying: "It's funny, of course, we think of Babs, and we think of the role you're about to play now. There are some similarities there – of being the pin-up, being brave, owning your sexuality." Shona admitted that the legendary actress had always been one of her biggest supporters, adding: "I know that Barbara Windsor would have been so proud of me taking on this role. She always said to me, because I'm short and I'm curvy, she always said I should do burlesque. So I know she'd be proud." In Shona's upcoming West End venture she will play American model Bettie Page in a new biography-musical that audiences can come see from June 9. The show will run for one night only at London's Lyric Theatre and promises to delve into the life of the 1950s icon, through the medium of original songs and hits from the 50s and 60s. It will explore Bettie's rise to fame and her impact on pop culture and feminism. Shona is best known for playing Whitney Dean in EastEnders ever since she joined the soap at the age of 16. She left the BBC series in April last year after 16 years on set. This marked the end of an era where Whitney faced many emotional storylines, tackling serious issues like grooming, domestic abuse, and pregnancy loss. Shona was praised for her sensitive portrayal of the character throughout these hard-hitting topics. Since leaving Albert Square, Shona has kept herself busy exploring other avenues of entertainment. She has spent time in the recording studio, performed live music, and even presented an award at the Beauty Awards in November. Some of the singles she has released include A Change is Gonna Come, Rock with Rudolph, and Let It Be. After her soap exit, Shona told The Sun that it was difficult to leave EastEnders, but she felt like it was the right decision. The actress shared: "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."
Daily Mail
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Lorraine viewers seriously distracted by EastEnders star Shona McGarty's appearance as she promotes new show
Lorraine viewers were seriously distracted by EastEnders star Shona McGarty 's appearance as she promoted her new show on the sofa this morning. Today's episode of the ITV chat show saw the actress, 33 - best known as Whitney Dean on the BBC soap - discuss her latest gig with presenter Ranvir Singh. After playing the character for 16 years, before her departure from Walford in 2024, she is now set to star in Bettie Page Queen of Pin-Ups: The Musical. The new show will see Shona play the iconic American pin-up girl for one night only at London 's Lyric Theatre on June 9. But Lorraine viewers today were more focussed on Shona's appearance - taking to X to say that with her fringe and bobbed hair, she looked uncannily like Lorraine Kelly. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Viewers said the actress, 33, looked uncannily similar to Lorraine Kelly, 65, the presenter of the self-titled chat show (pictured) Today's episode of the ITV chat show saw Shona - best known as Whitney Dean on the BBC soap - discuss her latest gig with presenter Ranvir Singh One fan said, comparing Shona to the Scottish host, 65, of the self-titled chat show: 'Lorraine is looking a bit younger from her days off.' Another user responded: 'Great minds.' They also made their own separate post on the social media platform: 'Shona's morphed into Lorraine.' Someone else said they agreed wholeheartedly: 'I couldn't think who she reminded me of but yes that's it!' At one point in the programme, Ranvir asked Shona if she found it hard to escape being associated with Whitney, having played her continuously since she was a teenager. Shona responded: 'Yeah, I mean, I've got a fringe now so I think people sort of go, "Is it...?" 'Or you know, I've had quite a few elderly ladies come up to me and they think I'm their hairdresser or they don't quite know why they know.' Ranvir agreed: 'They know you from somewhere, so familiar!' Laughing, Shona continued: 'And I haven't got the heart to say, "No, it's EastEnders", so I say, "Yeah, book another appointment in and I'll give you a quick snip off the ends". 'But yeah, I think the Whitney thing is still there, which is nice, I mean, I was in it for a long time.' Elsewhere in the interview, the soap actress brought up advice her EastEnders co-stars had given her over the years about both her career and life in general. She said the late June Brown - who passed away in 2022 aged 95, after playing Dot Cotton on the soap for 35 years - gave her a very cheeky tidbit of advice years ago: 'I'm never quite sure what she meant. 'I said: "What's your secret to getting to 93?". And she said: "A handful of nuts a day." I don't know what she meant...' Ranvir laughed, 'She might have been...', with Shona finishing her sentence, chuckling: 'Being cheeky.' The presenter continued: 'A double entendre there.' Shona agreed, amused: 'Absolutely. I'll have a few almonds every now and then.' The actress reminded viewers of Lorraine just after the chat show presenter disappeared from screens again on Monday, ditching her ITV programme this week. She took to Instagram on Sunday to share an exciting new project she is working on - meaning she would not be presenting her daily self-named programme for a week. Lorraine said: 'Hi there! I'm in the land of the midnight sun. It's absolutely glorious. 'It's a project that I have wanted to do for years and years and finally it is actually happening. 'I'm heading really, really far North. It is going to be amazing and I will tell you all about it when I am back. 'I'm back a week tomorrow (Monday) and I will see you then. Wish me luck.' But some couldn't contain themselves in the comments section, with one asking the telly star: 'So more time off work then Lorraine!?'
