I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! finalist Shona McGarty has candidly shared the details of a debilitating health battle that plagued her for years, revealing how anxiety left her feeling 'petrified' and forced her to turn down opportunities.
From EastEnders to the Jungle: A Silent Struggle
The 34-year-old actress, best known for playing Whitney Dean in BBC's EastEnders, explained that her anxiety was a constant presence. She confessed it prevented her from seizing many career opportunities before she finally agreed to enter the ITV jungle reality show. "Anxiety for me has been there constantly and it's stopped me from doing so many things, so many opportunities as well," McGarty stated. She described the condition as something that could be managed but would often return.
Her first major realisation that something was seriously wrong came during live television interviews to promote her role on the soap. She recalled a particularly traumatic appearance on This Morning with hosts Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes. "I was young and I felt this real nervous energy because it was live," she said. The countdown to going on air triggered a severe reaction. "I just went into like trauma mode... I just sat there and I looked really casual and arrogant." Reflecting on the footage, she advised listeners, "If you want to have a laugh, watch it. I'm literally petrified."
Seeking Support and a Diagnosis
To cope with the intense pressure of live chats, McGarty revealed she had to bring her co-star Ricky Norwood along for moral support. During that fateful This Morning interview, her anxiety manifested physically and mentally. "Ruth and Eamonn were talking at me and I couldn't even hear what they were saying. It was just like white noise," she recounted. "My hands were sweating. I just felt my heart going and I thought, 'This isn't me. What? I'm going to faint'."
The distressing episodes began to extend beyond work into social situations. "My hands would sweat and I'd have to like go, I'm just going to take a phone call just to get out. [It was] really overwhelming, really horrible," she admitted. After suffering in silence, McGarty decided to speak to a doctor. It was then she received a formal diagnosis of anxiety. "It was horrible. It would keep me up at night and things like that. And now I'm so much better. I'm starting to say yes to everything," she shared, highlighting the positive impact of seeking professional help.
Conquering Fears in the Jungle
Ahead of her I'm A Celebrity adventure, McGarty told The Mirror she was determined not to let anxiety dictate her decisions. Her participation in the challenging reality show marks a significant step outside her comfort zone. The actress joined the camp after leaving EastEnders to explore other ventures, including a music career.
Viewers have already been treated to glimpses of her impressive singing voice in the jungle. In an unaired clip, she performed Tina Turner's Proud Mary, prompting fans on social media to praise her talent. One viewer suggested a collaboration with fellow campmate Aitch, while others expressed astonishment at her vocal abilities.
Shona McGarty has now reached the final of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, standing as the last female contestant alongside Tom Read Wilson and Angry Ginge. One of the three will be crowned the new King or Queen of the jungle tonight (7th December) at 9pm on ITV and ITVX, succeeding last year's winner, McFly's Danny Jones. Her journey from being paralysed by anxiety on a TV sofa to facing bush tucker trials in the Australian jungle stands as a testament to her personal resilience.
