Joel Harley
Published November 22, 2025 4:55pm
Updated November 22, 2025 4:56pm
Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook
Comment now
Comments
EastEnders star Shona McGarty entered the I’m A Celebrity jungle soon after the end of her recent engagement (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)
Key Points
summary__ai-icon
- Shona McGarty is currently on I’m A Celebrity, following her exit from EastEnders after playing Whitney Dean since 2008
- She recently ended her engagement to musician David Bracken and is focusing on her music and personal growth
- Fans speculate a potential romance between Shona and fellow I’m A Celebrity contestant Aitch due to their on-screen chemistry
Shona McGarty entered the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here jungle last week, amid a tumultuous couple of years for the ex-EastEnders star.
Actor and singer Shona, 34, found fame playing Whitney Dean in the BBC soap, which she first joined at the age of 18.
Shona vacated the role in May last year, commencing work on her debut album and Bettie Page stage musical.
Months later, she announced that she had gotten engaged to musician David Bracken after two years of dating.
Get personalised updates on I'm A Celeb
Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you.
Reports emerged earlier this month that Shona and David had since ‘ended’ their engagement.
With Shona now one week into her stint in the I’m A Celebrity jungle, here’s all you need to know about her dating history and recent break-up.
Shona left EastEnders last year (Picture: Shutterstock)
Shona is braving the I’m A Celebrity jungle (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)
Is Shona McGarty married?
No, Shona is not married. Earlier this month, it was announced that Shona had ‘split’ from fiancé David Bracken after a year of engagement.
Shona met guitarist Davidafter he got in touch via TikTok in 2023, asking whether she’d like to collaborate on a song.
One year later, at Holland Park in London, David popped the question.
A source claimed in November this year that the pair had since called off the engagement, telling The Sun: ‘They are on amicable terms, but have ended their romantic relationship.’
‘There are no hard feelings, they realised they wanted different things and are better off as friends. Shona is now focusing on her music and career.’
It was reported that David and Shona had split in November this year (Picture: Instagram)
Life after the split
In the weeks after Shona and David’s split, she released a cryptic message to her Instagram page, talking about her ‘new beginning.’
Posting a video of her applying make-up in the mirror, Shona wrote: ‘I’m finally learning to just be me, no filters, no apologies, no shrinking to make others comfortable.
‘It’s a new beginning, and this time I’m stepping into life with open arms and an open heart. I’ve spent too long second-guessing, dimming my light, trying to fit into spaces that were never meant for me.’
Shona and David had announced their engagement last year (Picture: Instagram)
She continued: ‘But now, it’s about freedom, being comfortable in my own skin, owning my story, singing LOUD, with all my flaws, and my fire.
‘This is the start of really living, fully and authentically. From here on out, …I’m … unapologetically me.’
David has been supportive of Shona’s jungle journey since their split, posting a picture of them both together with the caption: ‘Let’s go girl! You got this.’
Shona dated her EastEnders co-star Matt Lapinskas, who played Anthony Moon on the soap (Picture: Shutterstock)
How her relationships played out during her EastEnders years
Appearing on EastEnders as Whitney Dean from 2008 to 2024, Shona previously dated co-stars Max Bowden and Matt Lapinskas while they were on the soap.
Shona dated Matt, who played Anthony Moon, between 2011 and 2013. He told Closer in 2012: ‘I had seen Shona on TV and always thought she had a gorgeous smile, but it is all about the personality. When I met her, we just clicked. It really was love at first sight.’
The pair split a year later, with Matt now describing dating Shona as being ‘like hell.’
As per The Mirror, he said: ‘Shona had no interest in being there for me. All she was interested in was going out partying until 2am.’
Shona, meanwhile, denied rumours that they’d split because he had ‘grown close’ to Dancing On Ice partner Brianne Delcourt.
She tweeted: ‘Thanx 4 support guys! Yes its true Matt and I have split but it has NOTHING 2 do with Brianne. Clear head and new beginnings!
Shona dated electrician Ryan Harris (Picture: Instagram)
During her time on EastEnders, Shona also began dating an electrician named Ryan Harris.
They announced their engagement in 2018, after Ryan proposed during her surprise birthday party. However, they split in 2020, in an ‘amicable’ breakup.
We both came to the decision that, actually, this isn’t what we really want. It fizzled out and we weren’t the same people,’ she told The Sun’s Fabulous Magazine.
Shona and co-star Max Bowden were rumoured to be dating in 2022 (Picture: Instagram)
Shona then began growing close to Ben Mitchell star Max over a six-month period in 2022 – but reportedly parted ways due to the fact he was expecting a child with his former partner, Roisin Buckle.
Still, they remained on good terms afterwards, with Shona revealing at the British Soap Awards in 2023: ‘We’re actually better than ever.’
She added: ‘It’s a friendship, we’re in such a good place.’
Tom Read Wilson and Vogue Williams spotted chemistry between Shona and rapper Aitch (Picture: ITV)
Comment now
Are you shipping Shona and Aitch?Comment Now
Fans predict I’m A Celebrity romance as sparks fly with Aitch
Since arriving in the jungle, fans have noticed a certain spark between Shona and fellow contestant Aitch – dubbing them the next Katie Price and Peter Andre.
‘Aitch and Shona the new Katie and Peter,’ wrote michellefowlers on X as these scenes aired.
‘Aitch and shona ye i ship it,’ agreed mint250.
More Trending
-
Play Video
Who’s in the I’m A Celebrity 2025 cast? Full confirmed line-up after late arrivals
Channel: TV TV 2 days ago By Alistair McGeorge - Kelly Brook's family shuts down Kelly Osbourne's I'm A Celebrity 'bullying' claims
- I'm a Celebrity fans convinced Jack Osbourne has thrown away win after 'disgusting' moment
- I'm a Celebrity fans compare new 'romance' to Katie Price and Peter Andre
DPatz13 commented: ‘Aitch & Shona could be a power couple in camp.’
Aitch has confessed he has a ‘soft spot’ for Shona (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)
It’s a sentiment echoed by new arrivals Tom Read Wilson and Vogue Williams, who took note of the pair’s chemistry last night.
‘They would make a gorgeous pair’, said Tom, with Vogue agreeing: ‘they’ve got those bright, bright blue eyes and they both love music’.
Deals of the Day
Dyson’s Black Friday sale is here! Save up to £550 on vacuums, Airwraps and hairdryers
Breakdown drama? There’s an app for that – and it gets you help in minutes
Emma is celebrating 10 years of better sleep with free bedding bundles worth hundreds!
Pack 60% more with these cubes that sell every 2 mins – and travel smarter, not heavier
Sick of shaving? This at-home device will save you hundreds on hair removal
I’m A Celebrity airs at 9pm on ITV1.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
Arrow MORE: I’m a Celebrity star says ‘he’s not the same person’ after vile death threats
Arrow MORE: Kelly Brook’s husband gives verdict on Jack Osbourne I’m A Celebrity ‘bullying’ claims
Arrow MORE: I’m a Celebrity fans turn on Jack Osbourne for ‘rage-baiting’ campmates
Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source TV NewsletterSign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.
Show Expand Options ? Select All Select All Big Brother Big Brother Britain's Got Talent Britain's Got Talent Celebrity Big Brother Celebrity Big Brother Doctor Who Doctor Who Great British Bake Off Great British Bake Off I'm A Celeb I'm A Celeb Love Island Love Island Netflix Netflix Strictly Come Dancing Strictly Come Dancing The Apprentice The Apprentice The Traitors The Traitors Email I agree to receive newsletters from Metro I agree to receive newsletters from Metro Sign UpSign UpThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy
