She scrubs up well! EastEnder Shona McGarty ditches Whitney's tracksuit for glam photoshoot

By Emily Sheridan

Last updated at 1:01 PM on 13th September 2011



As troubled Walford teen Whitney Dean in EastEnders, Shona McGarty is rarely seen out of her tracksuit.

But as she fast approaches her 20th birthday next month, the actress is clearly ready for a sartorial change.

The raven-haired star, 19, was given a grown-up makeover a world away from her soap persona for a new magazine shoot.

All grown-up: EastEnders actress Shona McGarty goes high-fashion for a glossy photoshoot with Heat magazine

Instead of the jeans and trainers, McGarty looked sophisticated in a black skirt and bejewelled, fringed T-shirt and towering heeled ankle boots as she posed for Heat magazine.

Speaking about her new look, she said: '“I love it! I feel like a warrior! It’s quite empowering. I hope the boys find it scary.'

McGarty has grown-up somewhat on screen playing troubled Whitney since joining the cast of EastEnders over three years ago.

'I feel like a warrior': McGarty admitted she found her new look quite empowering

The full photo shoot appears in this week¿s heat magazine on sale now

Aged just 16 when she started on EastEnders, she admitted she didn't have much of a clue how to dress, but her co-star and on-screen stepmother Patsy Palmer gave her fashion advice.

She explained: 'My style has really changed since I started on EastEnders. I’d never go out now in the tight, short, busty things I used to wear.

'When you’re younger, you think you need to show off all this flesh, but you don’t.

'I’ve learnt from people like Patsy. She used to show all her bits off when she was my age, but she’s grown up, too.'

McGarty admits she's grown to love her curvy bottom over the years.

She said: 'I love my bum! I’ve got quite a big bottom. I think it’s good for girls to have a bit of meat there!'

The full photo shoot appears in this week’s heat magazine on sale now.

Walford style: McGarty as Whitney Dean in EastEnders with evil boyfriend/pimp Rob (Jody Latham)

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2036717/EastEnder-Shona-McGarty-ditches-Whitneys-tracksuit-glam-photoshoot.html#ixzz1XsJqgx90

Sultry EastEnders star Shona McGarty's worlds away from frumpy Walford alter-ego

You can't wear THAT down the market! Sultry EastEnders star Shona McGarty's worlds away from frumpy Walford alter-ego

By Holly Thomas

Last updated at 10:06 AM on 26th August 2011


Shona McGarty is normally seen in more casual attire as her on-screen alter-ego Whitney Dean.

However the EastEnders actress, 19, stepped it up a notch as she arrived at ITV studios earlier today looking sophisticated in a fitted nude dress.

The teenage star completed her outfit with high platform white heels and a pleated tan leather belt.

Looking smart: Eastenders star Shona McGarty's sophisticated look was a far cry from that of her Watford alter-ego

And it was a rare chance for the actress to show off her toned legs in the short skirt, she's more usually seen in scruffy clothes for her role as Whitney.

The look, with the more modest ruffled top keeping her outfit classy, was completed with a fresh-faced approach to her make-up. Subtle smoked out eyes replaced her usual harsh eyeliner.


It's unclear what her new look was for and why she was at the ITV studios but there was no doubt that Shona was able to enjoy a more mature wardrobe than she does on her home turf at the BBC.

There hasn't been much call for dressing up for Shona's character Whitney in Albert Square recently.

All smiles: Shona looked confident and relaxed in the uncharacteristically sophisticated outfit

In a controversial plot line this year, Shona plays the lovestruck teen who has been victimised by her pimp ex-boyfriend Rob, played by former Shameless star Jody Latham.

Having been forced into prostitution by Rob, Whitney escapes his clutches for a while, but can't escape the feeling that she hasn't seen the last of him.
The experience of playing Whitney for such a difficult storyline has affected Shona.
And speaking to Soaplife magazine, she explained: 'When I researched the whole area of sex exploitation I found out that these are organised crimes and victims often end up staying with the perpetrators because they fear for the safety of family members.'

Sexy: The fitted shape and belt at the waist showed off Shona's curves

The prostitution story line builds to a dramatic climax in Southend, also involving Whitney's half brother Ryan Malloy, played by Neil McDermott, who is leaving the show.

Playing the end of the dramatic plotline was yet another emotional experience for Shona, who revealed to Digital Spy: 'In Ryan's last scene, Whitney is absolutely devastated and she cannot stop crying. But I felt the same way and when they called 'cut', I couldn't stop crying! I was in hysterics - I was so upset.'

Thankfully it looks as though today made a welcome change of pace for the 19 year old actress.

Usual look: Shona as she looks playing EastEnder Whitney Dean in the controversial prostitution storyline, with her pimp ex Rob, played by Jody Latham

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2030063/EastEnders-star-Shona-McGarty-worlds-away-Walford-alter-ego.html#ixzz1WBRwCNak

On the Eastenders set with Shona McGarty

On set with... Shona McGarty

14:08 UK time, Friday, 19 August 2011

The delightful Shona McGarty AKA Whitney Dean swung by this week (watch the video, you'll see what we've done there....) for our 'On set with' feature to talk high heels, eggs and her unique method for dealing with the highs and lows of emotional scenes! (ok, enough with the swing gags...)
Take it away Shona..........

Whitney Dean played by Shona McGarty Eastenders Profile Page

Whitney Dean
played by Shona McGarty
Whitney has almost as much to say for herself as her stepmum, Bianca.
First appearance: 01.04.2008
Marital Status: Single
Address: 31 Albert Square
Occupation:Stallholder
Most likely to say

I'm not a kid.

Character profile

 

Whitney is as gobby and opinionated as her stepmum, Bianca. She's older than her eighteen years. With the life she's had, you have to be.
Whitney is the daughter of Bianca's ex, Nathan Dean. When Nathan died, Bianca took Whitney under her wing. Her biological mum has played very little part in her life.
In her early teens, Whitney embarked on a relationship with Bianca's then boyfriend Tony King. It was only when she confessed all to Bianca that she realised she had been abused and manipulated by him.
After discovering that her step-grandma Carol was having an affair with her then boyfriend Connor, Whitney's life spiralled out of control. Despite appearances, Whitney is vulnerable and easily manipulated. Without Bianca as her safety-net, there's a danger Whitney could fall in with the wrong crowd.