Shona I’m A Celeb: Who is Shona McGarty on 2025 Series?

For 16 years, Shona McGarty was the face viewers turned to when Whitney Dean’s story hit hard on EastEnders. Now, fresh off her final scenes and a brand-new single, she swapped Albert Square for the Australian jungle — and came within reach of winning. Whether you knew her from the soap or discovered her on the series, here is everything that matters about Shona McGarty’s unexpected next chapter.

Age: 34 · Born: 14 October 1991 · I’m A Celeb 2025 Finish: 3rd place · Known For: EastEnders actress · Recent Single: Unapologetically Me

Who is Shona in I Am a Celebrity?

Shona McGarty is a British actress and singer who first stepped into the spotlight as Whitney Dean on the BBC soap opera EastEnders. She auditioned at age 16 and began portraying the character in 2008, holding the role until her final scenes aired in 2024 — a remarkable 16-year run that made her one of the show’s most recognisable faces.

EastEnders background

Whitney Dean became a defining character in EastEnders, and Shona McGarty’s portrayal earned her a dedicated fanbase. She trained at the Sylvia Young Theatre School before landing the role, and her time on the soap spanned more than a decade and a half. She announced her departure from EastEnders in July 2023 after 15 years, with her final scenes airing the following year.

Since leaving the show, Shona has pursued projects beyond the square. She appeared in the West End play 2:22 A Ghost Story, and in 2025 she portrayed Bettie in Bettie Page Queen of Pin-Ups The Musical. She also released her debut single “Unapologetically Me,” signalling a deliberate shift towards music alongside her acting career.

Music career

Shona released “Unapologetically Me” as her first solo single in 2025. The track marked her entry into the music industry following years of television work. She told Cosmopolitan that leaving EastEnders opened the door to explore other creative avenues. “I have always wanted to do I’m A Celebrity because I am a massive fan of the show,” she explained. “Now that I have left EastEnders, I want to do other things.”

What happened to Shona in I’m a Celebrity?

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! series 25 launched on 16 November 2025, and Shona McGarty entered the Australian jungle as one of the contestants. She quickly became a firm favourite with viewers, known for her warmth and willingness to take on challenges despite her admitted fear of water.

Camp leader role

Early in the series, Shona took on the camp leader role — a position that came with responsibility for organising daily tasks and keeping morale up among the contestants. Fellow campmates praised her leadership, and the role placed her firmly in the public eye as a potential winner.

Key trials and events

Series 25 featured the usual array of Bushtucker trials and celebrity challenges. Shona participated in multiple trials throughout her jungle stay. ITV News had noted she was “scared of water-based trials” before entering, making her participation in aquatic challenges particularly noteworthy for viewers.

The final week brought mounting eliminations. Lisa Riley was voted out eighth on 5 December, followed by Aitch ninth on 6 December. By the time the final arrived on 7 December 2025, four contestants remained: Shona, Angryginge, Tom Read Wilson, and Aitch (before Aitch’s elimination).

Shona finished in third place, narrowly missing out on the top two spots. Angryginge was crowned winner, with Tom Read Wilson as runner-up. The result was confirmed across multiple sources, including Wikipedia’s official series 25 record.

How old is Shona on Im a Celeb?

Shona McGarty was born on 14 October 1991, making her 34 years old at the time of filming and competing in I’m A Celebrity series 25 (2025). She will turn 35 on 14 October 2026.

Birthdate and age

Her birthdate of 14 October 1991 places her zodiac sign as Libra. Multiple sources, including Wikipedia, Hot Magazine, and IMDb, confirm this date uniformly. Her age of 34 during the 2025 series places her among the younger contestants in that year’s lineup.

Shona has been active in the entertainment industry since approximately 2006, when she first appeared on screen. Her EastEnders tenure of 16 years represents the bulk of her professional career to date, with the role of Whitney Dean serving as her breakthrough and signature character.

Is Shona McGarty Irish?

Whether Shona McGarty has Irish heritage has been a recurring question among fans. The evidence on the ground is mixed: she was born in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, and her professional career has been rooted in the UK. However, online discussions and some fan queries have speculated about possible Irish ancestry.

Background and nationality

Verified sources list her birthplace as Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, with Wikipedia noting “London, England” as an alternative listing depending on the source consulted. Her nationality is British, and there is no confirmed official record establishing Irish heritage. The question of Irish ancestry appears to stem from fan curiosity rather than documented biographical fact.

Until further verified information emerges, Shona McGarty’s documented nationality remains British, with her place of birth clearly established as England. Claims about Irish roots remain unconfirmed and should be treated as speculative.

Why did Shona McGarty split with her fiancé?

Reports indicate Shona McGarty and her former fiancé David Bracken split before or around the time she entered the I’m A Celebrity jungle in 2025. The exact timeline and reasons for the breakup have not been extensively documented in verified sources.

Relationship history

Shona had been in a long-term engagement, though earlier references in research materials described her as “long-term engaged and child-free” — a status that appears to have changed. Sources mention the split but do not provide detailed information about the circumstances or timing.

Current status

As of early 2026, no confirmed current partner has been publicly identified for Shona McGarty. Following her breakup with David Bracken, her romantic status remains private. The focus of her public life appears to be on her career transitions — music, advocacy, and potential future acting roles — rather than romantic developments.

Career timeline

Shona McGarty’s career spans nearly two decades, with EastEnders anchoring the bulk of her public profile before her 2024 departure opened new directions.

The timeline reveals how Shona systematically built her public profile before making calculated pivots into music, theatre, and reality television — a career strategy that culminated in her strongest finish yet on a national stage.

What people are saying

Several figures have commented on Shona McGarty’s jungle experience and post-show trajectory.

“I have always wanted to do I’m A Celebrity because I am a massive fan of the show. Now that I have left EastEnders, I want to do other things.”

— Shona McGarty, via Cosmopolitan (2025)

“She had decided to spread her wings and would be leaving EastEnders, whilst adding that she had ‘loved her years in the show.'”

— Shona McGarty, via I’m A Celeb Fandom Wiki

“To be honest, I have always wanted to do I’m A Celebrity because I am a massive fan of the show.”

— Shona McGarty, via ITV News (November 2025)

Summary and what’s ahead

Shona McGarty finished third in I’m A Celebrity series 25 on 7 December 2025, closing the chapter on a remarkable run that saw her go from soap newcomer at age 16 to established television personality with 16 years of EastEnders behind her. The result landed her among the top performers in a competitive field — above established names like Lisa Riley and Aitch — while still short of the top spot won by Angryginge.

Her post-jungle future looks deliberately varied. She has already released a solo single, appeared in West End theatre, and signalled interest in mental health advocacy work following her EastEnders exit. The split from long-term fiancé David Bracken adds a personal dimension that remains mostly private.

For fans who followed her as Whitney Dean, the third-place finish confirms she has the public profile and likability to sustain a career beyond Albert Square. For industry observers, the next moves — further music, acting choices, or advocacy — will determine whether 2025 marks a career peak or merely a pivot point.

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EastEnders star Shona McGarty secured third place in I’m A Celeb 2025, where Angry Ginge crowned King amid fierce final challenges.

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