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Shona McGarty

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Shona McGarty

Shona Bernadette McGarty (born 14 October 1991) is an English actress and singer, best known for her portrayal of Whitney Dean in the BBC soap opera EastEnders from 2008 to 2024. In 2025, she released a single "Unapologetically Me" and was a finalist on the twenty-fifth series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, finishing in third place.

Infobox

Born
Shona Bernadette McGarty (1991-10-14) 14 October 1991 (age 34)London Borough of Barnet, England
Occupations
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Years active
2006–present
Television
EastEndersI'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!
Instrument
Vocals
Labels
Saga Entertainment

Tables

· Filmography › Television
2007
What Goes Around
Role(s)
Shona
Notes
Short film
2008–2024
Role(s)
EastEnders
Notes
Whitney Dean
2010
East Street
Role(s)
Charity crossover between Coronation Street and EastEnders
2011
Lauren's Diary
Role(s)
2 episodes
2012
Children in Need 2012
Role(s)
Herself
Notes
Performer
2020
The Queen Vic Quiz Night
Role(s)
Whitney Dean
Notes
Charity special
EastEnders: Secrets from the Square
Role(s)
Herself
Notes
Episode: "Whitney and Sonia"
2025
I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!
Role(s)
Herself
Notes
Contestant; series 25
Year
Title
Role
Notes
Ref.
2007
What Goes Around
Shona
Short film
2008–2024
EastEnders
Whitney Dean
Regular role
2010
East Street
Charity crossover between Coronation Street and EastEnders
2011
Lauren's Diary
2 episodes
2012
Children in Need 2012
Herself
Performer
2020
The Queen Vic Quiz Night
Whitney Dean
Charity special
2020
EastEnders: Secrets from the Square
Herself
Episode: "Whitney and Sonia"
2025
I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!
Herself
Contestant; series 25
· Filmography › Music videos
2018
Rock With Rudolph
Role(s)
Herself
2021
Let It Be
Role(s)
Herself
Year
Title
Role
Ref.
2018
Rock With Rudolph
Herself
2021
Let It Be
Herself
· Discography › Singles
2012
"A Change is Gonna Come"
2018
"Rock With Rudolph" (with the Celebs)
2021
"Let It Be"(featuring the Celebs)
2025
"Unapologetically Me"
Year
Title
Ref.
2012
"A Change is Gonna Come"
2018
"Rock With Rudolph" (with the Celebs)
2021
"Let It Be"(featuring the Celebs)
2025
"Unapologetically Me"
· Awards and nominations
2009
2009
Year
2009
Award
British Soap Awards
Category
Best Newcomer
Result
Nominated
2009
2009
Year
2009
Award
Inside Soap Awards
Category
Best Young Actor
Result
Nominated
2014
2014
Year
2014
Award
2014 British Soap Awards
Category
Sexiest Female
Result
Nominated
2014
2014
Year
2014
Award
Inside Soap Awards
Category
Sexiest Female
Result
Nominated
2015
2015
Year
2015
Award
Inside Soap Awards
Category
Sexiest Female
Result
Nominated
2016
2016
Year
2016
Award
Inside Soap Awards
Category
Sexiest Female
Result
Nominated
2017
2017
Year
2017
Award
22nd National Television Awards
Category
Serial Drama Performance
Result
Nominated
2017
2017
Year
2017
Award
Inside Soap Awards
Category
Best Actress
Result
Nominated
2017
2017
Year
2017
Award
Inside Soap Awards
Category
Sexiest Female
Result
Nominated
2018
2018
Year
2018
Award
23rd National Television Awards
Category
Serial Drama Performance
Result
Nominated
2020
2020
Year
2020
Award
25th National Television Awards
Category
Serial Drama Performance
Result
Nominated
2020
2020
Year
2020
Award
TV Choice Awards
Category
Best Soap Actress
Result
Nominated
2020
2020
Year
2020
Award
Inside Soap Awards
Category
Best Actress
Result
Nominated
2020
2020
Year
2020
Award
I Talk Telly Awards
Category
Best Soap Performance
Result
Nominated
2021
2021
Year
2021
Award
26th National Television Awards
Category
Serial Drama Performance
Result
Nominated
2021
2021
Year
2021
Award
Inside Soap Awards
Category
Best Actress
Result
Nominated
2023
2023
Year
2023
Award
2023 British Soap Awards
Category
Best Leading Performer
Result
Nominated
2023
2023
Year
2023
Award
Inside Soap Awards
Category
Best Actress
Result
Nominated
2023
2023
Year
2023
Award
Digital Spy Reader Awards
Category
Best Actor
Result
Fifth
Year
Award
Category
Result
Ref.
2009
British Soap Awards
Best Newcomer
Nominated
2009
Inside Soap Awards
Best Young Actor
Nominated
2014
2014 British Soap Awards
Sexiest Female
Nominated
2014
Inside Soap Awards
Sexiest Female
Nominated
2015
Inside Soap Awards
Sexiest Female
Nominated
2016
Inside Soap Awards
Sexiest Female
Nominated
2017
22nd National Television Awards
Serial Drama Performance
Nominated
2017
Inside Soap Awards
Best Actress
Nominated
2017
Inside Soap Awards
Sexiest Female
Nominated
2018
23rd National Television Awards
Serial Drama Performance
Nominated
2020
25th National Television Awards
Serial Drama Performance
Nominated
2020
TV Choice Awards
Best Soap Actress
Nominated
2020
Inside Soap Awards
Best Actress
Nominated
2020
I Talk Telly Awards
Best Soap Performance
Nominated
2021
26th National Television Awards
Serial Drama Performance
Nominated
2021
Inside Soap Awards
Best Actress
Nominated
2023
2023 British Soap Awards
Best Leading Performer
Nominated
2023
Inside Soap Awards
Best Actress
Nominated
2023
Digital Spy Reader Awards
Best Actor
Fifth

References

  1. irish Mirror
    https://www.irishmirror.ie/showbiz/irish-showbiz/eastenders-star-shona-mcgarty-wants-11895685
  2. Closer
    https://closeronline.co.uk/entertainment/soaps/shona-mcgarty-everything-need-know/
  3. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-20120831
  4. Entertainment Daily
    https://www.entertainmentdaily.co.uk/soaps/eastenders-star-shona-mcgarty-shocks-fans-with-lookalike-sister/
  5. "EastEnders star wants Irish themed wedding"
    https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2018/0122/935045-eastenders-star-wants-irish-themed-wedding/
  6. St Albans & Harpenden Review
    https://www.stalbansreview.co.uk/news/9607835.shona-mcgarty-takes-part-in-loreto-college-fashion-show/
  7. Closer
    https://closeronline.co.uk/entertainment/soaps/shona-mcgarty-everything-need-know/
  8. Leitrim Observer
    https://archive.today/20120905234502/http://www.leitrimobserver.ie/news/Mohill-family-connections-to-Eastenders.5286847.jp
  9. Break Into Three
    https://breakintothree.com/our-work/shorts/what-goes-around
  10. Digital Spy
    http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a91777/in-pictures-meet-enders-jackson-five.html
  11. Digital Spy
    https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a93390/biancas-square-return-draws-104m/
  12. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/sep/13/eastenders.television
  13. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18856189
  14. Digital Spy
    https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a817921/eastenders-shona-mcgarty-regrets-suspension/
  15. Saga Entertainment
    https://www.sagaentertainment.tv/artists/shona-mcgarty
  16. BBC Children in Need
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p016w7bj
  17. Digital Spy
    https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a336330/potd-eastenders-whitney-comes-face-to-face-with-rob/
  18. Digital Spy
    https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a810634/eastenders-whitney-miscarriage-twitter-reactions/
  19. Radio Times
    https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/eastenders-leo-king-killed-whitney/
  20. Radio Times
    https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/eastenders-edwards-syndrome-explained/
  21. Radio Times
    https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/eastenders-shona-mcgarty-quits-whitney-dean-newsupdate/
  22. Digital Spy
    https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a44680661/eastenders-shona-mcgarty-quits/
  23. Evening Standard
    https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/bbc-albert-square-british-soap-awards-kelly-b1097554.html
  24. ITV News
    https://www.itv.com/news/london/2018-11-30/tv-stars-sing-for-great-ormond-street-christmas-charity-single/
  25. femalefirst.co.uk
    https://www.femalefirst.co.uk/music/musicnews/shona-mcgarty-proud-charity-song-1174605.html
  26. YouTube
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzKdnHT1zqg
  27. Saga Entertainment
    https://discovermediadigital.com/saga-entertainment-and-the-celebs-have-reunited-this-year-fronted-by-shona-mcgarty-best-known-for-playing-whitney-dean-on-eastenders-shona-sings-a-heart-warming-rendition-of-the-beatles-classic
  28. thissoundnation.co.uk
    https://thissoundnation.co.uk/supporting-mental-health-charity-mind-the-celebs-release-a-beautiful-beatles-cover-let-it-be
  29. Youtube
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NUrFXaS5e8
  30. Digital Spy
    https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a69219013/eastenders-shona-mcgarty-singing-career-announcement/
  31. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgk4x3ne1wo
  32. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ceq17gne2j3o
  33. Digital Spy
    https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a385475/matt-lapinskas-on-co-star-shona-mcgarty-it-was-love-at-first-sight/
  34. Digital Spy
    http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a848082/eastenders-shona-mcgarty-announces-engagement-ryan-harris/
  35. Digital Spy
    https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a30651308/eastenders-shona-mcgarty-fiance-ryan-harris-split/
  36. "EastEnders star Shona McGarty reveals new romance after Max Bowden split"
    https://metro.co.uk/2023/06/05/eastenders-star-shona-mcgarty-reveals-romance-after-max-bowden-split-18896304/
  37. The Standard
    https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/eastenders-shona-mcgarty-splits-fiance-b1256070.html
  38. BBC
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00c8qt6
  39. BBC
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5MDyDl5cTv5L7d4C5CcvgPf/laurens-diary
  40. BBC Media Centre
    https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/latestnews/2012/bbc-cin-2012
  41. Digital Spy
    https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a32256642/eastenders-coronation-street-crossover-liz-mcdonald-telethon/
  42. BBC
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000m81z
  43. The Independent
    https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/culture/shona-mcgarty-im-a-celeb-eastenders-b2866284.html
  44. BBC
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p016w7bj
  45. "Rock with Rudolph – Single by The Celebs on iTunes"
    https://music.apple.com/gb/album/rock-with-rudolph-single/1441024276
  46. "Let It Be – Single by Shona McGarty on iTunes"
    https://music.apple.com/gb/album/let-it-be-feat-the-celebs-single/1594684906
  47. Apple Music
    https://music.apple.com/gb/album/unapologetically-me/1846461166
  48. Digital Spy
    http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a154689/british-soap-awards-2009-the-winners.html
  49. "Inside soap awards nominations"
    http://msntvsoapsuk.wordpress.com/2009/07/08/inside-soap-awards-2009-nominations/
  50. Digital Spy
    http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3/coronation-street/scoop/a557996/british-soap-awards-2014-voting-opens-longlist-announced.html
  51. Inside Soap
    http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a587117/inside-soap-awards-2014-longlist-revealed.html
  52. Inside Soap
    http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3/coronation-street/news/a658118/inside-soap-awards-2015-longlist-revealed-whos-in-line-for-best-actor-actress-and-newcomer.html
  53. Inside Soap
    http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a798505/inside-soap-awards-2016-longlist/
  54. Metro
    https://metro.co.uk/2016/10/11/this-is-the-bbcs-last-chance-to-bag-an-national-television-award-for-the-great-british-bake-off-6185282/
  55. Inside Soap
    http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/news/a836154/inside-soap-awards-longlist-coronation-street-eastenders-emmerdale-hollyoaks/
  56. Digital Spy
    http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/doctor-foster/news/a840215/national-tv-awards-longlist-release-date-vote-here/
  57. Digital Spy
    https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a29465042/national-television-awards-2020-longlist-revealed/
  58. Radio Times
    https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2020-07-07/tv-choice-awards-nominations-normal-people/amp/
  59. Inside Soap
    https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a34014122/inside-soap-awards-2020-full-longlist-nominees/
  60. I Talk Telly
    https://www.italktelly.com/post/i-talk-telly-awards-2020-nominees
  61. Digital Spy
    https://web.archive.org/web/20210628154722/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a36526916/ntas-soap-nominations-coronation-street-emmerdale-eastenders-hollyoaks/
  62. Inside Soap
    https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a37769663/inside-soap-awards-2021-nominees-longlist-how-to-vote/
  63. Radio Times
    https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/british-soap-awards-2023-longlist-newsupdate/
  64. Digital Spy
    https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a44420530/inside-soap-awards-2023-nominations/
  65. Digital Spy
    https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/a46114823/eastenders-digital-spy-reader-awards-2023/
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