Shona McGarty has been on EastEnders for 15 years(Picture: BBC)
EastEnders’ Shona McGarty posed for the camera with a former co-star ahead of her exit next year.
The Whitney Dean actress, 32, was snapped alongside Harry Reid – who played Ben Mitchell on the soap from 2014 to 2018.
The soap stars have been starring in the Beauty and the Beast pantomime at Dartford’s Orchard Theatre.
After the night’s production wrapped, Harry wrote on Instagram: ‘Last few days working with this little [diamond Emoji icon].’
Shona replied: ‘Been the blooming best working with you again!!! Xxx.’
Whitney’s decade and a half on Albert Square has proved dramatic, with the popular character being involved in some of the biggest storylines of all time, from Whitney’s sexual abuse at the hands of Tony to her stalking ordeal.
In recent months, viewers have seen Whitney tragically lose daughter Peach, and decide to become a foster parent alongside partner Zack Hudson (James Farrar).
Speaking to Inside Soap Magazine, Shona revealed the reason behind her decision to leave.
‘It’s going to be the end of an era, or an earring, as the EastEnders saying goes,’ she said, referencing the phrase coined by Pat Butcher star Pam St Clement ahead of her 2012 exit.
Whitney is set to depart the Square next year (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
‘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.’
This leaves us wondering if Whitney will return in the future, and Shona certainly isn’t ruling it out.
‘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 — stuff that I’ve been doing since childhood and dreaming about.
‘EastEnders has been amazing; I just want to do other things.’
MORE : EastEnders exit ‘confirmed’ as character gets closer to murderous truth
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