BBC SIGN-UP SH0CK: I’m A Celeb’s Shona McGarty Lands Surprise New BBC Gig Just Weeks After Jungle Exit

Shona McGarty has got her next gig already lined up after leaving the jungleCredit: Shutterstock Editorial

Shona came third on I’m A Celeb last weekCredit: Shutterstock Editorial

Shona will be joining Ronan Keating for his Ronan & Friends: A New Year’s Eve PartyCredit: Getty

Louise Redknapp is also part of the BBC New Year’s Eve line-up with ShonaCredit: Getty
The former EastEnders star, who is back in the UK after her jungle stint Down Under, has already got her next gig lined up.

It’s been revealed that Shona will be part of the BBC‘s New Year’s Eve festivities.

Boyzone star Ronan Keating will be hosting this musical extravaganza which will take over BBC One.

Shona will be performing show tunes from the West End as part of the Beeb’s celebrations to ring in the New Year.

Read more on Shona McGarty

The line-up also includes other huge names like Louise Redknapp and Callum Scott.

Called Ronan & Friends: A New Year’s Eve Party, the show will cut to the famous London fireworks display at midnight, before returning for more fun.

LIFE AFTER EASTENDERS

Shona has been enjoying an incredible year since leaving EastEnders.

The actress played Whitney Dean for 16 years, after joining the soap as a teenager.

Speaking exclusively to The Sun before going on I’m A Celeb, Shona told us: “I feel very free, But obviously, I miss my old family at EastEnders. Sixteen years is a long time, so it really did feel like leaving home.”

She waved goodbye to Walford in May last year, after her character discovered her husband Zack Hudson (played by James Farrar) had been unfaithful, moving her daughters to Wakefield to live with her brother Ryan.

Shona told us she has no regrets about leaving.

“No,” she said adamantly. “But only because I toyed with the idea of leaving for a little while. My character had done so much. She really did have a hard life.

“I thought, ‘Well, I need a break.’ I wanted to explore other avenues. I felt like Whitney needed a break, too.

“But when I watched the live episode [to celebrate the show’s 40th anniversary in February] I cried, especially watching Lacey Turner, who plays Stacey Slater.

“She was so amazing. I felt like, ‘Oh, I wish I was part of that.’ I remember doing it for the 30th and that feeling of teamwork. I was so proud, so I was gutted not to be there for that.

“But the door is open. People are already asking me when am I going back. But I don’t think I’m ready yet. I’d like to go back when it’s time for Whitney to return.”

Shona played Whitney in EastEnders for 16 yearsCredit: BBC Press Handout

POP STAR HOPES

Whilst in the jungle Shona impressed viewers with her singing voice.

During our exclusive chat, she revealed how she iss hoping to follow in the footsteps of fellow former soap stars like Kylie Minogue, Natalie Imbruglia and Martine McCutcheon and break into pop music.

“It’s always been something I loved,” she told us. “Even at EastEnders, they couldn’t shut me up. I’d say all the time, ‘Let’s go to karaoke!’

“But I couldn’t really do anything about it because there was just no time. I wanted to wait until I could properly focus on it.

“I’ve been working with a guy called Steve Anderson, who has produced some of Kylie’s music. It’s so awesome, and obviously Kylie’s from a soap too, so it just makes sense.

RECOMMENDED STORIES

“I hope I can make the transition. A few EastEnders people have. Rita Simons, who played Roxy, was in a band. Obviously, Shane Richie, and Sid Owen did a reggae song, which is actually really good.

“I’ve been writing loads of music, as well as working on songs I’ve had in my locker for years. It’s so freeing being able to say yes to things I wouldn’t have been able to do before. I’m exploring what my vibe is.”

The star was a fan favourite on I’m A CelebCredit: Shutterstock Editorial