EastEnders may have confirmed why Whitney Dean leaves the BBC soap in upcoming episodes.
Shona McGarty was conformed to be leaving the soap last year, after 15 years in the role. Since then, actress Shona has filmed her final scenes and has left the show for good.
This means Whitney's final episodes will air within weeks, with details surrounding the pregnant character's departure yet to be revealed. Now, the latest episode of the BBC soap may have revealed what could lead to her leaving for good.
Two key moments in her latest storyline seemed to set up her exit plot, from a huge row with partner Zack Hudson, to a betrayal by him and her pal Lauren Branning. Viewers know that Whitney recently visited her stepmother Bianca Jackson in Milton Keynes, leading to her meeting troubled youngster Britney.
Whitney ended up paying the teen's mother off so she could care for her, while lying that she'd adopted her with social services aware. The truth did come out to her partner Zack this week and he was furious.
Image:
BBC)They ended up having a blazing row about it and their future, with pregnant Whitney confessing she would choose Britney over him any day. Zack felt unsupported and sidelined, and as though he didn't matter, which Whitney didn't exactly deny.
Whitney also fell out with pal Lauren who she believed had told Zack the truth, when in fact it was Britney. Zack and Lauren ended up heading out together to let off some steam, while Whitney was called out by her loved ones for her lies, with her left contemplating her treatment towards Zack.
As Britney was reassured that she was still family, she asked whether Zack was leaving but Whitney claimed this was not the case, clearly keen to sort things out. But the camera then panned back to Lauren and Zack who were sharing a steamy kiss down an alley - so will Walford's latest cheating scandal tear Zack and Whitney apart, leading to her departing Walford?
Image:
BBC)Whitney's exit scenes are thought to be airing very soon, especially after actress Shona recently had a leaving party with her co-stars. The actress stopped to take photos with fans on the set of the BBC soap earlier this month, when she left the studios for the final time.
Speaking about her departure previously, she shared: "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. So I'm going to be sad to say goodbye to my friends and family, but it was the right decision for me as I want to do other things. After 15 years, I’ve had a pretty good run!"
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.* Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .
