{"id":90723,"date":"2025-05-10T18:38:14","date_gmt":"2025-05-10T18:38:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/90723\/"},"modified":"2025-05-10T18:38:14","modified_gmt":"2025-05-10T18:38:14","slug":"eastenders-legend-is-set-to-sign-big-money-im-a-celebrity-deal-a-year-after-quitting-soap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/90723\/","title":{"rendered":"EastEnders legend is set to sign big money I\u2019m A Celebrity deal a year after quitting soap"},"content":{"rendered":"

AN ex EastEnders star is set head Down Under to star on I\u2019m A Celebrity.<\/p>\n

Shona McGarty<\/a>, 33, is in advanced talks to be an early signing for the ITV<\/a> show, which films this Autumn in November.<\/p>\n

\"I'm<\/a><\/p>\n

6<\/p>\n

An ex EastEnders star has signed up for the new series of I\u2019m a Celebrity\u2026Get Me Out of Here! The Sun can revealCredit: Rex\"Shona<\/a><\/p>\n

6<\/p>\n

Shona McGarty is set to battle bugs Down Under on the iconic ITV reality seriesCredit: Getty – Contributor\"Whitney<\/a><\/p>\n

6<\/p>\n

She left her role as EastEnders’ Whitney Dean last yearCredit: BBC<\/p>\n

It comes after she left<\/a> the BBC One<\/a> soap last year after 16 years playing iconic Whitney Dean on Albert Square.<\/p>\n

A source said: \u201cJungle bosses have been keen to sign up the soap queen for ages.<\/p>\n

\u201cShona is Walford royalty and hugely popular with TV viewers, she\u2019s got bags of charisma and producers think she\u2019ll be a great campmate.<\/p>\n

“Plus fans haven\u2019t seen much of her away from Enders, so I\u2019m A Celeb <\/a>will be an opportunity for her to show a completely different side to her personality.<\/p>\n

“Show bosses are already talking to some brilliant names for the new series.\u201d<\/p>\n

Earlier this year Shona admitted she would like to take part in a rival reality show<\/a> – Strictly Come Dancing<\/a>. <\/p>\n

She said: \u201cI would love to do Strictly. It appeals to my soul, because it\u2019s sequins, and glitter and tan and hair and nails.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shona has been working on breaking out as a music star since leaving the soap, having showcased her singing talents since she was a teenager.<\/p>\n

In 2012 she performed A Change is Gonna Come on Children in Need, released a charity song for Great Ormond Street Hospital in 2018, covered Let It Be in 2021 for charity Mind and last year sang at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance for BBC1.<\/p>\n

EastEnders star Shona McGarty glams up for Whitney\u2019s wedding<\/p>\n

An ITV spokesman said: \u201c\u2018Any names suggested for I\u2019m A Celebrity\u2026Get Me Out Of Here are just speculation.\u201d<\/p>\n

ALL CHANGE<\/p>\n

Shona announced her departure from EastEnders in 2023 after a 15-year stint, sharing she wanted to explore other opportunities.<\/p>\n

Speaking\u00a0exclusively to The Sun<\/a> at the time, Shona said: \u201cI have decided to spread my wings and will be leaving EastEnders. I have loved my years in the show.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have been trusted with some incredible storylines and have made amazing friendships \u2014 and family \u2014 which will endure.\u201d<\/p>\n

I’m A Celebrity – All The Winners <\/p>\n

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Here’s every star who has been crowned King or Queen of the Jungle to date: <\/p>\n