{"id":233315,"date":"2025-07-03T00:17:17","date_gmt":"2025-07-03T00:17:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/233315\/"},"modified":"2025-07-03T00:17:17","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T00:17:17","slug":"eastenders-shona-mcgarty-pursues-new-project-away-from-soaps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/233315\/","title":{"rendered":"EastEnders’ Shona McGarty pursues new project away from soaps"},"content":{"rendered":"

Former EastEnders<\/a> star Shona McGarty<\/a> has announced a big update for her post-Albert Square career.<\/p>\n

The actor, who portrayed Whitney Dean<\/a>, has long been vocal about her love of music having previously showcased her singing<\/a> on the soap in addition to recording a few songs for charity.<\/p>\n

In a post on Instagram<\/a> on Saturday (28 June), McGarty shared that she’s back in the studio with legendary music producer Steve Anderson, who is known for his work with Kylie Minogue and Britney Spears.<\/p>\n

“My happy place!” wrote McGarty in the post, which included a pair of photos and a short video. “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.”<\/p>\n

McGarty’s post was met with supportive messages from friends and followers in the comment section, with former Love Island host Laura Whitmore writing: “Yes Shona! Love that you\u2019re making music x”<\/p>\n

\"whitney<\/p>\n

BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron<\/p>\n

Related:<\/strong> Best film and TV tours for 2025<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

McGarty, who played Whitney from 2008 until 2024, shared in April that she was working with Anderson<\/a> on some songs, writing on Instagram: “The two most special days in the studio!… It felt so good getting back behind the mic and dusting off the ol’ vocals again.”<\/p>\n

The actor had previously explained the reasons behind her departure<\/a> from the BBC soap<\/a>, sharing: “I’ve loved my time in Walford, but with the character of Whitney, bless her, she’s had some awful things happen to her, and I think she needs a break. <\/p>\n

\"shona<\/p>\n

John Phillips\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Related: 8 huge EastEnders spoilers for next week<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n

“The door’s open and I could always come back in the future. But at the moment, I want to pursue things that are in my heart, like singing \u2014 stuff that I’ve been doing since childhood and dreaming about. EastEnders has been amazing; I just want to do other things.”<\/p>\n

While Whitney is long gone, Walford recently said goodbye to two characters as Bernie Taylor and Felix Baker both left East London<\/a>, bringing an end to the respective stints of Clair Norris and Matthew James Morrison. <\/p>\n

EastEnders<\/strong> airs on Mondays-Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Read more <\/strong>EastEnders<\/strong> spoilers on our dedicated homepage<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Digital Spy’s new print issue is here! Buy <\/strong>Oasis – Live in ’25<\/strong><\/a> in newsagents or <\/strong>online<\/strong><\/a>, priced at just \u00a38.99.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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