EASTENDERS fans have predicted what Shona McGarty will do next following her shock exit from the soap.
Last night we revealed how the popular actress, 31, who has played Whitney Dean since she was 16, has taken the “difficult” decision to leave amid a cast shake-up.
EastEnders fans think Shona McGarty could launch a music career after leaving the soap
The multi-talented star often shares singing videos on social media and fans believe her vocal talents mean she’ll switch to the music industry following her time in the BBC soap.
One fan wrote: “So gutted Shona is leaving EastEnders but her voice is amazing so I hope she gets to become a singer but hope they leave her door open.”
Another said: “You are one special woman with the beauty and many talents! Idolise you! and you should be singing!”
A third fan said: “Wow your voice is amazing, absolutely beautiful.”
EastEnders’ shock cast shake-up also sees Lorraine Stanley, 47 — who plays launderette worker Karen Taylor — being written out after joining Albert Square seven years ago.
Speaking exclusively to The Celeb Report 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.”
Her final scenes will be broadcast early next year — when her contract is believed to run out — and producers are deciding on her exit storyline.
A source said: “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.
“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.
“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.”
In 2012, she performed Sam Cooke’s A Change is Gonna Come on Children in Need, released a charity song for Great Ormond Street Hospital in 2018, covered The Beatles’ Let It Be in 2021 for the charity Mind and last year sang at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance for BBC1.
Shona’s character Whitney has had a rollercoaster life since arriving in Albert Square in 2008 as the adoptive daughter of Bianca Jackson, played by Patsy Palmer.
Whitney was sexually abused at 12 by Bianca’s fiancé, suffered sexual exploitation, killed her stalker, been married once and engaged three times.
In 2016 Whitney suffered a miscarriage and, more recently, her unborn baby was diagnosed with life-limiting condition Edwards syndrome.
Speaking earlier this year, Shona said: “I’ve been lucky to be trusted with such big stories. I don’t want it to stop.
“I want heartbreak and tragedy all the time if I could.”
Shona has played Whitney Dean on the BBC show since she was 16, pictured above with Jessie Wallace, playing Kat
Whitney weds Lee Carter, played by Danny-Boy Hatchard
