Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) is set for an unhappy Christmas in EastEnders as a tragic death haunts her.
Ever since Whit and Zack Hudson (James Farrar) were accepted as foster parents, she’s been excited to open their home to a child in need of care and little Ashton is a ray of sunshine for her.
But Zack is going to find it harder to connect with the little lad at first.
The couple turned to fostering after their baby Peach was diagnosed with Edwards’ Syndrome and passed away.
After Peach’s tragic death, Whitney decided she couldn’t put her body through pregnancy again, which left Zack devastated.
He’d also struggled with his HIV diagnosis, but with his viral load undetectable, he’d hoped they could have another baby.
But Whitney was completely against it, and the couple even moved out of no 1 into a flat of their own so they could apply to be foster parents.
Fostering Ashton brings some much-needed joy into Whit’s life – but as Christmas passes she has to tell him that he’s moving to another foster family.
Zack drowns his sorrows with Martin Fowler (James Bye) at Peggy’s, and Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) attempts to cheer Whitney up – without any luck.
On the market, poor Whitney even shows Sonia a photo of Ashton in his new home as she tries to come to terms with him moving on.
Seeking solace at Peach’s tree at the allotment, Whitney meets Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter), who shares her own experiences of fostering.
A heart to heart with Yolande leads Whitney to make a massive decision, and heads back to Number 3B to tell Zack – but what is it?
With Whitney set to leave the square in 2024, after actress Shona McGarty quit, could this decision lead to her exit from EastEnders?
