Former footballer and television presenter Alex Scott has weighed in on the burgeoning romance rumours between rapper Aitch and ex-EastEnders actress Shona McGarty, confirming she believes the entire I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! camp shares a 'soft spot' for the soap star.
Jungle Romance Rumours Bloom
The speculation ignited last week when the 25-year-old rapper, Aitch, openly admitted to having a 'soft spot for Shona'. Since his confession, viewers have noted the pair growing noticeably closer within the Australian jungle camp. Alex Scott, the 41-year-old Football Focus host who was the first celebrity voted off this year's series, expressed her surprise at the development, stating she 'didn't see it like that at all in the Jungle' initially.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Scott elaborated on why Shona has captured the hearts of everyone, including Aitch. 'See the thing is, and, which I don't know if you guys have seen about Shona, is she's incredible,' Scott said. She highlighted Shona's personal struggles, revealing that the actress had been through a lot before entering the jungle and that the experience had helped her shed many anxieties and insecurities.
Shona's Emotional Journey and Recent Split
Scott painted a picture of Shona's transformation, describing how the camp watched an 'amazing person who is so shy and full of anxieties' gradually begin to open up, singing for the camp and cracking jokes. 'So it's just like, we've all got a little soft spot for Shona because we feel like she's got through this amazing experience where she thought on day one that she wouldn't make it through,' Scott explained.
The emotional backdrop to Shona's journey is her recent personal life. The 34-year-old actress, famous for playing Whitney Dean from 2008 until 2024, is believed to have split from her fiancé, Irish musician David Bracken, just weeks before entering the jungle. A source told The Sun 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. Shona is now focusing on her music and career.'
This heartbreak became palpable during a camp conversation. When fellow campmate Kelly Brook began discussing her five failed engagements, Shona subtly walked away. Later, while doing washing-up duties with Tom Read Wilson, she confessed, 'I just couldn't be a part of that conversation, it just got too much. When I came in, I just broke up with my fiancé, so I just walked away.' Wilson offered support, telling her she had done a 'really sensible thing' and giving her a pep talk.
A Camp United by Affection
What began as a specific rumour about Aitch's feelings has, according to Alex Scott, evolved into a wider sentiment shared by all the celebrities. The camp has united in their affection for Shona, celebrating her resilience and personal growth in the face of pre-existing anxieties and a recent painful breakup. While the future of any potential romance between the rapper and the actress remains to be seen, it is clear that Shona McGarty's inspiring journey has made a significant impact on everyone in the jungle.
