Former EastEnders actress Shona McGarty has bravely revealed she's been fighting a 'horrible' five-year battle with anxiety and depression ahead of her appearance on this year's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!
From Walford to the Wilderness
The 34-year-old star, who grew up on screen after joining the BBC soap aged just nine, confessed that her mental health struggles have prevented her from pursuing many opportunities over recent years. McGarty, who played beloved character Whitney Dean for 15 years until her departure last year, is now taking medication to manage her condition.
In an emotional interview, the Essex-born actress explained that joining the ITV reality show represents a significant turning point in her life. 'My anxiety and my depression has been pretty bad over the last, I'd say, at least four or five years,' McGarty told Daily Mail. 'That has stopped me from doing a lot of things I've always wanted to do, and I've come to a point in my life where I don't want to let the anxiety win.'
Breaking the Silence on Mental Health
Reflecting on the pressures of growing up in the public eye, McGarty revealed the immense pressure she felt to appear constantly happy and confident. 'Being in an industry at such a young age, when people ask you, "Are you OK?", you have to say you're fine,' she shared. 'That was the way I was taught. You just say, 'fine' and you fake it till you make it kind of thing.'
The actress spoke candidly about the fear that being open about mental health struggles could jeopardise her career. 'There is always that thing in the back of your head where you think, "Well, it's unprofessional of me to say that I'm not doing OK",' she admitted. 'Or maybe you might lose your job or get killed off.'
Despite these concerns, McGarty praised the BBC for implementing measures to protect her mental health during her formative years on EastEnders.
A New Chapter in the Jungle
McGarty's decision to join I'm A Celebrity comes during a period of significant personal change, having recently called off her engagement to musician David Bracken because 'they wanted different things.' She now joins fellow celebrities including Martin Kemp, Kelly Brook, and rapper Aitch in the Australian jungle.
'This is a new chapter for me,' McGarty declared about her jungle adventure. 'This is a chance for not just the public to get to know me, but for me to get to know me again. I don't think I've ever done anything where I could get to be myself, job-wise.'
Despite her optimism, the actress acknowledged her ongoing concerns about how her anxiety might affect her jungle experience. 'I'm scared that the anxiety might rear its ugly head,' she confessed.
I'm A Celebrity's Toughest Season Yet
As the show prepares for its Sunday launch, ITV bosses have promised this will be the 'toughest' season in the programme's history. Executive producer Olly Nash revealed significant format changes designed to push celebrities further than ever before.
'It's a tough and gruelling show, and there's nothing wrong with driving that home,' Nash told the Daily Mail. 'We need to see more celebrities earning their keep, that's the most important thing. No longer can they be just sitting on the beds in the back, they are going to have to step up to the challenge.'
Key changes for the 2024 series include:
- Removal of the luxury item feature
- New exemption rule preventing celebrities from doing consecutive trials
- Introduction of the Getaway Car versus Coco Van system
- Increased snake sightings in camp
The first ten celebrities have already faced their initial challenges, with some enjoying champagne in the luxury Getaway Car while others endured the less desirable Coco Van filled with fish guts.
As Shona McGarty prepares to enter the jungle on Saturday, she represents not just another celebrity contestant, but someone using the experience as a powerful step in her mental health journey. Her courage in speaking openly about her struggles promises to make her one of the most compelling campmates of the series.
I'm A Celebrity launches on Sunday at 9pm on ITV and ITVX. For confidential mental health support, contact Samaritans on 116 123.
