Shona McGarty is reportedly being lined up to star in the next series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
The actress, 33, could be set to head Down Under, just a year after she said goodbye to EastEnders after 16 years of playing Whitney Dean.
According to The Sun, she is in advanced talks with ITV bosses to join the series when it begins filming in November.
A source told the publication: ‘Jungle bosses have been keen to sign up the soap queen for ages.
‘Shona is Walford royalty and hugely popular with TV viewers, she’s got bags of charisma and producers think she’ll be a great campmate.
‘Plus fans haven’t seen much of her away from Enders, so I’m A Celeb will be an opportunity for her to show a completely different side to her personality.’
Shona McGarty is reportedly being lined up to star in the next series of I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! (pictured last month)
The actress, 33, could be set to head Down Under, just a year after she said goodbye to EastEnders after 16 years of playing Whitney Dean (seen in show in April 2024)
MailOnline has contacted Shona’s representatives for comment.
The soap star previously admitted that she would be keen to take part in rival TV show, Strictly Come Dancing, saying that ‘it appeals to my soul, because it’s sequins, and glitter and tan and hair and nails.’
In December, she told Revamp that she’d previously turned the BBC series down from anxiety, but now felt ready to sign up.
She said: ‘I have been several times, but I turned it down personally because of my anxiety. I think it just got in the way.
‘I would think, “I can’t do it,” or, “It’s not the right time”. I just panicked, and I kick myself for it now.
‘But now that I’m older, I’m like, you know what? I’ll do it. I feel like everything happens for a reason.’
Shona has been busy since bidding goodbye to Albert Square in April, spending time in the recording studio and presenting a gong at the Beauty Awards in November.
While last month, she announced that she’s set to play the lead role in Bettie Page, Queen of Pin-Ups – The Musical in June.
Shona has been busy since bidding goodbye to Albert Square in April, spending time in the recording studio and presenting a gong at the Beauty Awards in November (pictured)
While last month, she announced that she’s set to play the lead role in Bettie Page, Queen of Pin-Ups – The Musical in June
The show will be on June 9 at Lyric Theatre in central London, running for 90 minutes with no interval, and tickets cost from £15.
The synopsis reads: ‘She Was Never The Girl Next Door. This revealing new bio-musical tells the story of the original revolutionary pin-up model, and pop culture icon, Bettie Page.
‘All Bettie wants is to escape her circumstances and live a normal life, yet when she discovers glamour photography in the 1950s, all she wants is the right to be able to do it.
‘Bettie’s iconic status is born out of her fierce feminism and fight for personal liberties.
‘Bettie Page, Queen of Pin-Ups – The Musical chronicles her quest for freedom of expression through seminal moments in history, original songs, and the greatest hits of the 50s and 60s.’
Shona is no stranger to the music industry, having performed live a number of times and regularly sharing videos of her showing off her incredible singing voice on social media.
The star has also released a number of singles including A Change is Gonna Come, Rock with Rudolph and Let It Be.
She shot to fame at 16 years old when she joined EastEnders, being involved in a number of hard-hitting storylines including being groomed by her mum Bianca’s boyfriend, her marriage to Lee Carter and her unborn baby being diagnosed with Edward’s Syndrome.
She shot to fame at 16 years old when she joined EastEnders, being involved in a number of hard-hitting storylines
In July 2023 it was revealed that Shona had quit EastEnders, telling Inside Soap Magazine: ‘It wasn’t an easy decision because I’ve made so many friends’ (seen in soap in 2021)
But back in July 2023 it was revealed that Shona had quit her EastEnders role, later telling Inside Soap Magazine: ‘It wasn’t an easy decision because I’ve made so many friends.
‘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.’
In April last year she filmed her final scenes as her iconic alter-ego and later revealed the real reason why she quit.
She told The Sun: ‘It was a really difficult decision, because it’s all I’ve ever known. I pretty much grew up on the Square, so I feel like I’m leaving home.
‘But I had to put on my big girl pants and be quite brave, because life is so short, and you feel that more and more as you get older.
‘There are other opportunities and areas of the industry I want to explore before I get too old! All things come to an end and this is the new chapter of my life.
‘So although it was a big decision, once I’d made it, I was quite resolute that this was something I had to do. I mean, 16 years is amazing. I’ve had a really good run and Whitney needs a break.’
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