EastEnders star Shona McGarty reveals the real reason she quit the BBC soap after 16 years

Release time：2024-05-21 13:35:55 Source：World Wander news portal

Shona McGarty has said she 'feels like she is leaving home' as she opened up about the real reason she is quitting EastEnders. 

The actress, 32, who joined the soap at the age of 16 in 2008 portraying the iconic Whitney Dean, revealed that she would be quitting in July after portraying the long-running character for 16 years. 

Shona has now revealed that it was a 'really difficult' decision to leave the soap, but has decided she wants to explore 'other opportunities' before she is 'too old'. 

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. 

Shona McGarty has said she 'feels like she is leaving home' as she opened up about the real reason she is quitting EastEnders on Sunday

Shona has now revealed that it was a 'really difficult' decision to leave the soap but has decided she wants to explore 'other opportunities' before she is 'too old'

The actress, 32, who joined the soap at the age of 16 in 2008 portraying the iconic Whitney Dean, revealed that she would be quitting in July after portraying the long-running character for 16 years (pictured in 2008)

'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.' 

The BBC star filmed her final scenes earlier this month and was greeted by fans outside Elstree Studios as she headed home. 

Shona added: 'I'm not gonna lie, I feel like it's a kind of grief and I didn't think I'd be so emotional. But seeing all the fans who had these messages and cards was just beautiful and, although I tried to keep it together, I actually fell to pieces'. 

She was seen flashing a smile as she drove home from work and stopped at the gate to pose for selfies with fans who had gathered outside. 

The soap star took her time to leave video messages as she signed autographs and chatted with the crowd. 

Shona's car was filled with flowers, cards and presents from her co-stars as she departed the studio for the last time. 

Shona's character Whitney, arrived back Walford in 2008 as the adopted daughter of Bianca Jackson (played by Patsy Palmer).

She has been at the heart of countless hard-hitting story lines, including grooming, sexual abuse, baby loss, kidnap, stalking and illicit affairs.

Whitney has been given a dramatic send off which follows a shocking pregnancy storyline. 

She said: 'It was a really difficult decision, because it's all I've ever known. 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' (pictured 2022)

Shona added: 'I'm not gonna lie, I feel like it's a kind of grief and I didn't think I'd be so emotional' (pictured 2022)

Shona's character Whitney, arrived back Walford in 2008 as the adopted daughter of Bianca Jackson (played by Patsy Palmer left) In 2020 she killed deranged Leo King for the soap's 35th anniversary (pictured in 2008)

The character and her partner Zack Hudson (played by James Farrar) have been trying to have a baby for a long time. 

She previously terminated a pregnancy after finding out her little girl suffered from Edwards' Syndrome, which meant her baby would not have survived long after being born. 

Whitney was left completely devastated by the loss and swore she would never try and have a biological child again and so she and Zack put themselves forward for foster care. 

The couple ended up looking after a young boy Ashton over the Christmas period however, he soon got adopted leaving the couple more alone than ever. 

In 2008 Whitney was groomed and abused by her onscreen mum's partner and in 2020 she killed deranged Leo King for the soap's 35th anniversary. 

It is unknown what the actress is going to do next but she revealed she only had one week off after filming her final episode before starting a new top-secret project. 

However, it is likely Shona will do something with music as she regularly posts videos of her singing to social media. 

In 2012, she performed on Children in Need singing Sm Cooke's A Change is Gonna Come.

She has also been part of a number of hard hitting story lines including grooming, sexual abuse, baby loss, kidnap, stalking and illicit affairs (pictured with partner Zack Hudson, played by James Farrar)

She released a charity song for Great Ormond Street Hospital in 2018 and covered The Beatles' Let It Be in 2021 for the ­charity Mind.

In 2022, Shona sang at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall for BBC1.

She added that 'singing is her first love' and revealed she has already 'written lots of songs' and would love to release an album one day. 

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