EASTENDERS legend Shona McGarty has opened up about her exit after she prepares to leave the BBC One soap.
HOAR revealed last week that Shona had been culled from Albert Square amid a shake-up of the cast.
Shona McGarty said she is ready to ‘do other things’ after her soap exit
Shona has played Whitney Dean for 15 years
She had played Whitney Dean for 15 years, after first landing the role when she was aged just 16.
But over a decade on Albert Square, Shona said it’s time she spread her wings and take on different opportunities.
“It wasn’t an easy decision because I’ve made so many friends,” the actress said.
“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.”
“So, I’m going to be sad to say goodbye to my friends and family, but it was right decision for me as I want to do other things,” Shona aded to Inside Soap.
“After 15 years, I’ve had a pretty good run.”
It comes after HOAR revealed that Shona is currently in talks for ITV’s Dancing On Ice.
It would be Whitney’s first major job away from EastEnders.
A source said: “Shona is a great name for Dancing On Ice and she is on ITV’s wish-list.
“She is a huge talent and a very well-known name – and to walk off EastEnders and straight onto their rival channel’s biggest show would be a huge coup.
“Shona is in the running for a stint on the ice when the show begins in January but it’s all early dates.
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.
Shona has had a number of hardhitting storylines
