The mother of former EastEnders actress Shona McGarty has publicly shared her thoughts about her daughter's developing connection with rapper Aitch during their time on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!
Mother's Delight at Daughter's Happiness
Jennifer McGarty, 69, expressed her joy at witnessing her daughter's transformation in the Australian jungle, particularly highlighting a recent pillow fight between the pair as her favourite moment. The tender scene saw 25-year-old Aitch, whose real name is Harrison James Armstrong, playfully wrapping his legs around the 34-year-old actress during their playful exchange.
Speaking to The Sun, Jennifer revealed: "I am loving it – she has relaxed into it now which obviously makes me really happy." She continued with evident pleasure: "I enjoyed the pillow fight and seeing her fun side coming out. That's what makes me happy – to see that she's being her natural self and I can see she's really enjoying it and savouring it, which is great."
Overcoming Personal Struggles
Jennifer's comments carry particular significance given Shona's recent personal challenges. The actress, who portrayed Whitney Dean from 2008 until 2024, ended her engagement to Irish musician David Bracken just weeks before entering the jungle. A source close to the couple confirmed at the time: "They are on amicable terms, but have ended their romantic relationship. There are no hard feelings, they realised they wanted different things and are better off as friends."
Adding to these relationship difficulties, Shona had recently opened up about her "horrible" five-year battle with anxiety and depression, expressing concerns that her mental health struggles might impact her jungle experience. Her mother now feels relieved to see Shona emerging from this difficult period, noting she couldn't be prouder of her daughter's progress.
Growing Connection in the Jungle
The developing bond between Shona and Aitch hasn't gone unnoticed by viewers or the show's hosts. During Wednesday's episode, the pair shared several intimate moments that sparked romance rumours among fans. While chatting in the basic camp Doomsville, Aitch stared deeply into Shona's eyes and remarked, "Your eyes have yellow in them," to which she giggled in response: "Yeah my dad has yellow in his eyes as well."
Their connection became even more apparent during the pillow fight, where Shona questioned Aitch: "Why are your thighs so strong?" as he held her between his legs during their playful wrestling. The chemistry between them became so evident that hosts Ant and Dec commented directly to viewers: "It's getting rather cosy in Doomsville isn't it."
Jennifer McGarty believes the pair share similar personalities and the same sense of playfulness, describing Aitch as a "lovely boy" whom she would "definitely" invite over for dinner one day. When questioned about the possibility of a romance developing between them, Jennifer suggested they would become great friends before adding the telling phrase: "who knows."
Fan reactions on social media platform X have been overwhelmingly positive, with many viewers convinced the connection is genuine. One fan wrote: "It's starting to look like Shona and Aitch are more than just manipulative editing," while another declared: "Aitch and Shona are my new Roman Empire."
The timing of this potential romance coincides with reports that Aitch recently ended his relationship with psychology student Lois Cottam shortly before entering the jungle. According to sources, the rapper and his girlfriend of over a year decided to part ways amicably, with no bad blood between them.
Jennifer McGarty concludes that she simply wants her daughter to continue enjoying her jungle experience, hoping Shona remains in the competition long enough to show both her campmates and viewers her "fun side" and "real personality." For a mother who has watched her daughter navigate significant personal challenges, seeing Shona looking genuinely happy again appears to be the greatest victory of all.
