'It's a feeling I've never had before about a person'

Former EastEnders star Shona McGarty and fiancé David Bracken talk exclusively to OK! about his proposal and their plans for the future

- INDIGO STAFFORD

Former EastEnders icon Shona McGarty and her new fiancé, musician David Bracken, look absolutely besotted with each other as they pose for an exclusive shoot with OK! to announce their engagement. Despite playing the Albert Square legend Whitney Dean, the adopted daughter of Bianca (Patsy Palmer) for 16 years, Shona says David had "no clue" about her EastEnders fame. It was actually their love of music that brought the two together. David, 35, who plays in an Irish band called Blessed, and Shona, who loves to share her passion for singing by posting her incredible covers of songs on social media, discovered each other while scrolling on TikTok.

While it was an incredibly difficult decision for Shona to walk away from EastEnders, she tells us it was something she had to do for both her personal and professional life, with the star swapping long days of filming for more quality time at home with her family, friends and beloved fiancé.

Now, Shona, 32, who left the BBC soap in May, has entered a new and exciting chapter of her life, with a wedding to plan - as well as a starring role in the Irish cast of 2:22 A Ghost Story, alongside Laura Whitmore.

Relaxed and positively glowing with happiness, Shona admits that she has never felt more free than she does now, as she looks forward to a bright future, sharing with us her next dream role, Strictly Come Dancing plans and hopes to one day start a family...

Congratulations on your engagement, you two! Take us back to how you first met...

Shona: We actually met on TikTok. David is a really amazing guitarist, he's in a band and it came up on my FYP [For You Page], so I liked a video. And then, I got a message from David on TikTok saying, "I've seen your singing videos, I'd love to do a duet with you." I said, "Oh, yeah, definitely, I think you're amazing." But I was so busy with EastEnders that it took me eight months to message him back.