Former EastEnders actress Shona McGarty has entered the I'm A Celebrity jungle amidst significant personal changes, including calling off her engagement just weeks before the show began. The 34-year-old star, who played Whitney Dean for 16 years, now finds herself at the centre of fresh romance speculation with fellow contestant Aitch.
From Soap Star to Single: Shona's Relationship Timeline
Shona McGarty's personal life has undergone substantial transformation in recent months. In November 2025, just before entering the jungle, reports confirmed she had ended her engagement to musician David Bracken after a year-long engagement.
The couple's romance began in 2023 when David contacted Shona through TikTok, suggesting they collaborate on music. Their relationship blossomed, culminating in a romantic proposal at London's Holland Park. However, sources close to the pair revealed to The Sun that they had amicably parted ways, with one insider explaining: 'They realised they wanted different things and are better off as friends.'
Following the split, Shona shared a powerful message on Instagram about her 'new beginning', writing: 'I'm finally learning to just be me, no filters, no apologies. This time I'm stepping into life with open arms and an open heart.' Despite their separation, David has remained supportive of her jungle adventure, posting an encouraging message on social media.
EastEnders Romances and Past Engagements
Shona's relationship history includes several high-profile romances during her EastEnders tenure. She dated co-star Matt Lapinskas, who played Anthony Moon, from 2011 to 2013. Initially describing their connection as 'love at first sight', their relationship eventually soured, with Matt later characterising their time together as 'like hell'.
In 2018, Shona became engaged to electrician Ryan Harris after he proposed during her surprise birthday party. Their relationship ended amicably in 2020, with Shona explaining to The Sun's Fabulous Magazine: 'We both came to the decision that this isn't what we really want. It fizzled out and we weren't the same people.'
More recently, Shona grew close to Ben Mitchell actor Max Bowden in 2022, though their romance was short-lived. They have since maintained a strong friendship, with Shona confirming at the 2023 British Soap Awards: 'We're actually better than ever. It's a friendship, we're in such a good place.'
Jungle Chemistry: Are Shona and Aitch the New Power Couple?
Since entering the I'm A Celebrity camp, viewers have noticed undeniable chemistry between Shona and rapper Aitch. Social media has been buzzing with comparisons to legendary jungle romance Katie Price and Peter Andre, with one fan declaring: 'Aitch and Shona the new Katie and Peter.'
The speculation gained credibility when new arrivals Tom Read Wilson and Vogue Williams commented on their connection. Tom observed: 'They would make a gorgeous pair', while Vogue noted their matching 'bright, bright blue eyes' and shared passion for music.
Other fans have enthusiastically supported the potential pairing, with comments like 'Aitch and shona ye i ship it' and 'Aitch & Shona could be a power couple in camp' flooding social media platforms.
As Shona continues her jungle journey, she appears to be embracing her new chapter with the authenticity she promised in her Instagram post. With her EastEnders career behind her and her engagement ended, the jungle represents a fresh start for the actress and singer - and possibly the beginning of a new romance that has viewers captivated.
