Rumours of a camp romance between former EastEnders actress Shona McGarty and Manchester rapper Aitch have received a significant boost from a key figure: Shona's mother. Jennifer McGarty has publicly given the musician her seal of approval, adding fuel to the speculation that has captivated viewers of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!.
Mum's Seal of Approval
Speaking to The Sun, Jennifer McGarty expressed her delight at seeing her daughter's playful side emerge in the jungle. "She has relaxed into it now which obviously makes me really happy," she said, specifically referencing a lively pillow fight between the pair. Jennifer admired seeing Shona being her "natural self" and confirmed she would happily welcome Aitch into the family fold. "I think they are very similar characters, they've both got that playfulness. He is a lovely boy. We would definitely invite him over for dinner," she added.
From Soft Spot to Holding Hands
The romance speculation began in earnest last week after Aitch confided in his campmate that he had a "soft spot" for Shona, who is best known for playing Whitney Dean on the BBC soap. Their connection has been visibly growing, with viewers spotting them in a playful pillow fight and even holding hands. Hosts Ant and Dec have frequently championed the potential romance on air, with Dec describing Aitch's initial admission as coming "completely out of the blue." Ant added, "It's been a while since we've had a proper romance on this show. We'd love to see it... we would celebrate it."
Family and Fan Reactions
Not everyone in the family is entirely convinced yet. Shona's sister, Camila, told the Mirror that she needed to see more interaction to decide if the connection was romantic or more sibling-like. "I don't know if I see it romantically… It might just be a brother and sister relationship but I don't know...I don't think we have seen enough to make a definite decision on it," she commented. However, fans on social media are firmly aboard the 'Shaitch' ship. One fan exclaimed on X, "May as well put Aitch and Shona together. They fancy f**k out each other," while another speculated, "My hopeless romantic self says Aitch lost the trial vs Ainge on purpose so he could go home with Shona."
The potential for a relationship is logistically plausible, as both stars are currently single. Shona called off her engagement to musician David Bracken just weeks before entering the jungle. Similarly, Aitch is also unattached after amicably splitting with his girlfriend, Lois Cottam, prior to the show. A source confirmed the friendly nature of his breakup, stating, "Aitch and Lois still have a lot of love for each other but they decided they are better off as friends."
