Shona McGarty is quitting EastEnders after 15 years.

Shona McGarty has played Whitney for 15 years

Shona McGarty has played Whitney for 15 years

The 31-year-old actress joined the soap as Whitney Dean when she was just 16 years old, but has made the "difficult" decision to leave Albert Square in order to "spread [her] wings and try new things.

She told The Sun on Sunday newspaper: "I have decided to spread my wings and will be leaving EastEnders. I have loved my years in the show.

“I have been trusted with some incredible storylines and have made amazing friendships — and family — which will endure.”

Shona will bow out from the soap early next year, but producers have yet to decide on her exit storyline, though the actress is hoping she won't be killed off.

A source said: “It wasn’t an easy decision for Shona to make and she is gutted to be walking away from her soap family, especially as she has grown up on set with most of them. She’ll be sorely missed by the cast.

“But she feels like now is the right time in her life to step away and try something new.

“She is hoping the door will be left open for her character to return one day, but nothing is guaranteed and it is all in the hands of the scriptwriters.

“They could decide that another soap death would create an explosive exit storyline and get people talking, but that’s always a risk actors have to take when deciding to leave.

“Shona is really looking forward to new projects and expanding her career horizon.

"It will be exciting to get her teeth into something new after so long playing one character.

“As well as acting, Shona loves singing and has a real musical talent, so that is one of the options available.”

And that isn't the only change coming for the BBC One show because Lorraine Stanley has been axed from her role as launderette worker Karen Taylor after seven years.

The 47-year-old star's alter ego will be written out by the end of the year.

A source said: “It’s always a tough call for bosses when deciding which characters will leave the soap, but it has to be done to keep storylines fresh and create new arcs for characters.

“Lorraine had a great run on the soap and was a real scene stealer with her comic timing and she has certainly made her mark with fans.”

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