Whitney Dean has been spotted wearing a baby bump as actress Shona McGarty filmed her final scenes on the BBC soap.
Shona, 31, revealed last year that she would be quitting the soap after portraying Whitney for 15 years, after joining at the age of 16 in 2008.
The actress is set to give her character a dramatic send off with a shocking pregnancy storyline.
She seemed in high spirits as she wrapped up in a long brown padded coat with a fur edging and carried a hot water bottle as she filmed scenes.
She showed off her growing baby bump in and fitted black and white dress which she teamed with tights and boots.
Whitney Dean has been spotted wearing a baby bump as actress Shone McGarty filmed her final scenes on the BBC soap
Shona, 31, revealed last year that she would be quitting the soap after portraying Whitney for 15 years, after joining at the age of 16 in 2008
In the scene, Whitney was seen carrying two large tote bags as she spots a young girl bin diving for food.
She attempts to stop the girl before she makes a run for it.
Whitney and Zack Hudson (James Farrar) have been trying to have a baby for a long time.
She previously terminated a pregnancy after finding out her little girl suffered from Edwards’ Syndrome, which meant her baby would not have survived long after being born.
Whitney was left completely devastated by the loss and swore she would never try and have a biological child again and so she and Zack put themselves forward for foster care.
The couple ended up looking after a young boy Ashton over the Christmas period however, he soon got adopted leaving the couple more alone than ever.
Now in new pictures Whitney is seen showing off her big baby bump leaving some worried she might die during childbirth because her exit is soon approaching.
Speaking to The Sun on Sunday about her decision to leave Albert Square, Shona said: ‘I have decided to spread my wings and will be leaving EastEnders. I have loved my years in the show.’
The actress is set to give her character a dramatic send off with a shocking pregnancy storyline
She seemed in high spirits as she wrapped up in a long brown padded coat with a fur edging and carried a hot water bottle as she filmed scenes
She showed off her growing baby bump in and fitted black and white dress which she teamed with tights and boots
In the scene, Whitney was seen carrying two large tote bags as she spots a young girl bin diving for food
She attempts to stop the girl before she makes a run for it. Whitney and Zack Hudson (James Farrar) have been trying to have a baby for a long time
She previously terminated her last pregnancy after finding out her little girl suffered from Edwards’ Syndrome, which meant her baby would not have survived long after being born
Whitney was left completely devastated by the loss and swore she would never try and have a biological child again and so she and Zack put themselves forward for foster care
A source told the publication that the decision ‘wasn’t easy decision’ but that Shona feels now is the right time to ‘try something new.’
They added: ‘She is hoping the door will be left open for her character to return one day, but nothing is guaranteed and it is all in the hands of the scriptwriters.’
As the adopted daughter of infamous Bianca Jackson (played by Patsy Palmer), Whitney was part of several hard-hitting storylines.
In 2008 Whitney was groomed and abused by her onscreen mum’s partner and in 2020 she killed deranged Leo King for the soap’s 35th anniversary.
It is thought Shona will pursue a singing career, something she hasn’t shied away from.
In 2012, she performed on Children in Need singing Sm Cooke’s A Change is Gonna Come.
She released a charity song for Great Ormond Street Hospital in 2018 and covered The Beatles’ Let It Be in 2021 for the charity Mind.
Last year saw her sing at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance for BBC1.
The source told The Sun: ‘As well as acting, Shona loves singing and has a real musical talent, so that is one of the options available.’
The star narrowly missed out on winning the Best Leading Performer at this last year’s British Soap Awards, but EastEnders bagged the big prize – Best British Soap.
Now in new pictures Whitney is seen showing off her big baby bump leaving some worried she might die during childbirth as her exit is soon approaching
Speaking about her decision to leave Albert Square, Shona said: ‘I have decided to spread my wings and will be leaving EastEnders. I have loved my years in the show’
A source told the publication that the decision ‘wasn’t easy decision’ but that Shona feels now is the right time to ‘try something new’
As the adopted daughter of infamous Bianca Jackson (played by Patsy Palmer), Whitney was part of several hard-hitting storylines
It is thought Shona will pursue a singing career, something she hasn’t shied away from
