EastEnders Whitney’s exit ‘exposed’ in baby twist, dramatic death and Zack heartache
EastEnders star Shona McGarty is set to leave the soap within the next few months and fans have been speculating how Whitney Dean will bid farewell to Albert Square
EastEnders star Shona McGarty confirmed in August that she had quit the role of Whitney Dean.
The actress, who turns 32 today (October 14), made her first appearance as Whitney in 2008 but decided it was time to say goodbye to the character after 15 years. The star told Inside Soap: “It wasn’t an easy decision because I’ve made so many friends.
“I’ve seen people come and go, and meanwhile, Whitney has been one of the longest-standing characters. I’ve had so much fun and done so many storylines, some of which have been sensitive, and I’ve been honoured to be trusted with such heavy stuff, year after year.”
Shona continued: “So, I’m going to be sad to say goodbye to my friends and family, but it was right decision for me as I want to do other things. After 15 years, I’ve had a pretty good run.”
It’s been reported that Whitney’s final scenes will broadcast early next year, with producers of the BBC series thinking about her exit storyline. They’re not the only ones as fans have been speculating what storyline will lead to Whitney bidding farewell to Albert Square for good. Daily Star has taken a look.
Tragic death
With Whitney such an important part of the soap, there is every chance her exit could be a dramatic one. Daily Star used artificially intelligent “creative” tool Bard AI to find how Whitney will leave the soap, with one pointing to a tragic end for the character.
The system said: “It is possible that Whitney will leave Walford under tragic circumstances. She has been through a lot of trauma in her life, and she may finally decide that she can’t take anymore. It added: “She may be killed off, or she may simply decide to disappear from Walford without a trace”.
Bard AI went on to say: “Whatever the reason for Whitney’s exit, it is sure to be a dramatic and emotional one. Bosses will want a memorable exit for a character who has been a part of the show for 15 years.”
Adoption twist
Fans will know Lily Slater (Lilia Turner) recently gave birth to a baby girl and has been struggling to cope with motherhood. In the hospital shortly after she was born, Charli was crying and Lily panicked over how to calm her down.
With Whitney there to visit her niece, she managed to pick up and settle the newborn. Fans have since speculated that Whitney could adopt baby Charli and leave Walford with her.
One person shared on X, formerly known as Twitter: “That must’ve took all whit’s strength help Lily with Charli. Can see it now Whitney is going leave with baby isn’t she?” A second agreed: “Could Whitney’s departure be with niece Charli?” as a third echoed: “I think Whitney will end up adopting Charli… that will be her exit storyline.”
While others have theorised that Whitney could end up leaving with Sonia’s (Natalie Cassidy) baby as she is currently in the process of doing IVF with Reiss (Johnny Freeman). “Calling it now Sonia gets pregnant… Reiss gets arrested and put in prison for fraud. Sonia gives baby to Whitney and Whitney leaves on her own with the baby,” one viewer said.
Another agreed: “Whitney’s definitely leaving with a child why do I feel like it’ll be Sonia’s.” In yet another baby twist, one fan theorised that Zack (James Farrar) could fall into bed with old flame Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf) and her pregnancy could drive Whitney out of Walford. They said: “There were definitely heavy hints of a breakup for Zack and Whitney in this scene. I think he will get Sam pregnant.”
Happy ending
A happy ending in soap’s is a rarity, however, after everything Whitney has been through, fans believe she deserves a happy ending. Whitney is currently in the process of fostering a child with Zack, and a baby could mean they hunt for a fresh start in a different place.
One shared: “Whitney’s exit is going to be her getting her happy ever after with a baby. I just know it will be.” A second added: “I hope she gets her happy exit with Zac.” Another fan wrote: “I’d love for her exit to be a happy one with her finally pregnant and leaving with Zac.”
Even Shona herself wants a happy ending for Whitney – with a slight hint of dramatic. Speaking to Inside Soap she said: “As a viewer, and after playing her for so long, Whitney deserves a happy ending.
The majority of comments online and when I speak to people in the street are along the lines of, ‘When is Whitney going to have her happy ending?’ and I think it’s time. “Don’t get me wrong, I want it to be dramatic! Everyone knows that I love playing the drama. So, I hope there are some twists and turns thrown in there and maybe even a little stunt!”
Zack heartache
With the Christmas murder victim hot on people’s minds, fans have started to question whether Whitney’s exit could tie in with the death during the festive period. One said: “I was thinking whether it could be Zack that gets killed off at Christmas?
“As that would make a good plot point for Whitney to leave EE, as I saw in a article she’s due to leave in the new year?!” While a second viewer added: “I read that she’s leaving in the new year! So what’s if it’s Zack that dies at Christmas and she leaves as she’s upset that he’s dead!!!”
