EastEnders actress Shona McGarty is preparing to leave the BBC soap that she’s starred in for 16 years. Shona plays Whitney Dean and will very soon be bowing out after her disastrous wedding.

Whitney was all set to marry her boyfriend, and father of her newborn baby, Zack Hudson (James Farrar) when Britney revealed he’d cheated on her with best mate Lauren Branning (Jacquline Jossa).

After confronting her cheating fiancé and realising what Britney said was true, Whitney declared she and Zack are over – and she’s leaving Walford for good.

With her exit from the soap imminent, Shona took to Instagram on the evening of Wednesday 22 May and broke down in tears, before apologising to fans.

Whitney said: “Sorry about that, got a bit emotional which is understandable I’ve been there 16 years.

“It has been really emotional and I just want to say thank you for everyone who has ever supported Whitney ever, or even if you didn’t and gave me a hate comment. You know.

“I’m really excited for my future and for EastEnders ‘ future too, it is at the heart of the nation.

“I haven’t got a chip on my shoulder about it, it was my decision. It has been a tough old paper round, and I have loved every minute of it.