I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! star Shona McGarty’s family have expressed their worries for the EastEnders actress as she faces the tough bush tucker challenges.
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! contestant Shona McGarty has been receiving heartfelt support from her family as she tackles the infamous bush tucker trials on the ITV series.
The EastEnders actress is navigating the jungle alongside fellow campmates Alex Scott, Martin Kemp, Ruby Wax, and Eddie Kadi, and has been open about the difficulties she’s facing.
The 34-year-old became emotional while speaking to her fellow celebrities, admitting, “I’m emotional already. I’m just really happy to be here too.”
Holding back tears, she added, “To be completely honest, I just don’t want my anxiety to spoil it. I really think this is going to be an amazing experience,” according to the Express.
Her mother and sister appeared on Lorraine to show their support for Shona while also sharing their concerns.
When host Lorraine Kelly asked about how Shona might cope in the jungle, her sister said, “Yes and no, because she does struggle a bit with anxiety and can be quite reserved and shy around new people. When she gets to know everyone and finds those who get her sense of humour and vibe, I think she’ll really come out of her shell.”
Speaking about Shona leaving EastEnders after a 15-year run as Whitney Dean, her mother added, “She had such a long career on EastEnders. Since she was 16, she hadn’t done anything else. It was a brave decision—she wanted to try new things and see what else she could achieve.”
Her mother expressed her wish for viewers to see the real Shona, saying: “She takes a little time to warm up; when meeting new people, she can be quite shy.”
When asked about concerns over how Shona would handle facing her fears, particularly with water-based challenges, her sister said: “Yes and no, but I still voted for her to go for it last night. Throw her in, let her experience it fully, she knows why she’s there, so face those fears!”
Her mum added, “Once she relaxes and eases into it, the real Shona will come through.”
She continued, “It’s hard to describe Shona if you don’t know her; she’s nothing like Whitney, completely different.”
Her sister also noted, “She has social anxiety, but that’s just one part of her. It’s like seeing a friend at a party occasionally—you only see that side of them, it’s not the whole person.”
Before joining I’m A Celebrity, Shona spoke openly about her struggles with mental health, admitting that keeping her feelings hidden as a young performer in the spotlight was tough, but she now manages with therapy and medication.
She told The Sun: “It’s been really difficult at times, and I’m sure many people can relate. Being in this industry from such a young age, when someone asks, ‘Are you OK?’ you have to say you’re fine. That’s what I was taught—to just say, ‘fine,’ and fake it till you make it.
“But that can really affect you, and I think it did. I’ve had some therapy, and I take medication for anxiety and depression, which has genuinely helped me.”
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