I’m A Celebrity star Shona McGarty has spoken about how EastEnders legend Barbara Windsor gave her a ‘bad telling off’ for being late – and how it changed her career
Shona McGarty finished third in this year’s show
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! star Shona McGarty has revealed she once received a “bad telling off” during the early days of her career – and explained how the experience influenced her work ethic on EastEnders and beyond.
The actress, who spent 16 years portraying Whitney Dean on the BBC soap, opened up on the Yellowbelly Presents podcast about joining the programme as a teenager and the challenging adjustment that followed when she became part of one of Britain’s most popular dramas. McGarty secured the role aged just 16, and despite residing “literally across the road” from the studios, she confessed she didn’t always understand the standard of professionalism required on set.
Speaking frankly, she remembered a particular incident that served as a significant reality check. “Barbara taught me not to be late, which I have spoken about before,” she said, referencing EastEnders legend Barbara Windsor.
“See, the thing is, you wouldn’t mind, but I literally lived across the road. So there was no excuse,” she added, according to the Liverpool Echo.
Shona McGarty(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
McGarty acknowledged that beginning such a prominent job as a teenager presented its own difficulties. “Being 16 is such a young age. You think you’re like all that, but actually, you’ve not got a clue,” she chuckled.
“Yeah, you still haven’t got a clue, to be honest. I’m 33.”
But the lesson hit home – largely thanks to Windsor’s no-nonsense approach. “The being late thing? Barbara told me off so badly. It kind of gave me a wake-up call, and I was like, actually, I do want this job. I had to remember that this is what I’d dreamed about for such a long time. This is an amazing opportunity, and I don’t want to ruin it for myself.”
From that moment onwards, she revealed, everything shifted. “So I did get up to that alarm, and I did stay in the show. Thank you, Barbara.”
McGarty remained with EastEnders from 2008 through to 2024, establishing herself as one of the soap’s most familiar faces. Throughout her tenure, she handled significant storylines including Whitney’s abuse, turbulent relationships, and numerous hard-hitting social issue narratives.
Shona bid farewell to Walford in May last year(Image: (Image: BBC))
She has consistently acknowledged senior cast members, including Windsor, for supporting her through the demands of working on a long-running soap.
In 2009, just 12 months after joining EastEnders, McGarty won a British Soap Award for Best Newcomer. Her closing scenes as Whitney were broadcast in May 2024, with the character leaving Walford to start anew with her baby daughter, Dolly.
Her time on EastEnders also served her well during this year’s series of I’m A Celebrity. Recognised for her sharp humour, emotional openness, and genuine connection with fellow campmates, she emerged as a fan favourite – securing third place behind Celebs Go Dating receptionist Tom Read Wilson and winner, YouTube star Angryginge.
During her departure chat, the 34-year-old McGarty shared: “My anxiety has been up and down for as long as I can remember, but in here, I’ve learned a lot about myself, and I feel like it’s been a bit of a healing process for me.”