Former EastEnders star Shona McGarty has bravely shared her painful childhood experiences, revealing how she grew up believing her alcoholic mother's behaviour was completely normal.
In an emotional interview, the actress, best known for playing Whitney Dean on the BBC soap, admitted she had no idea her mother was struggling with addiction until she was much older.
'I Thought All Mums Drank Like That'
"I genuinely thought all mums drank like mine did," McGarty confessed. "It wasn't until I went to friends' houses and saw their mums behaving differently that I started to question things."
The 32-year-old described how her mother would often be intoxicated, sometimes falling asleep in unusual places around their home. "I'd find her passed out on the bathroom floor or in the garden," she recalled. "As a child, you just accept these things as normal."
The Turning Point
McGarty credits her school friends with helping her realise her family situation wasn't typical. "When I'd go to sleepovers and see other mums making breakfast or helping with homework, it slowly dawned on me that something wasn't right at home."
The actress, who left EastEnders in 2023 after 15 years on the show, has since reconciled with her mother, who has been sober for several years. "We've worked through a lot together," McGarty said. "I'm just grateful she's in a better place now."
Using Her Platform for Good
Now, McGarty hopes her story will help others recognise the signs of alcoholism in families. "If sharing my experience helps even one person realise they're not alone, then it's worth it," she said.
The star also emphasised the importance of support systems, praising teachers and friends who helped her through difficult times. "Those small acts of kindness from others made all the difference when I was growing up," she added.
