EastEnders introduces new character ahead of Whitney's exit

EastEnders spoilers follow.

A new character will make their Walford debut ahead of Whitney Dean's EastEnders exit.

In new photos from set, Whitney is seen with a big baby bump, confirming she and her partner Zack Hudson are expecting a child — "a little Christmas/New Year miracle", as EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw put it — following the loss of their baby Peach in a devastating storyline last year.

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In one of the images, Whitney is at a community centre, where she approaches a young girl looking for food in bins.

As Whitney tries to talk to her, the girl runs away, leaving things unclear as to whether she'll be seen on the Square again.

Meanwhile, Whitney actress Shona McGarty has weighed in on leaving the BBC soap in upcoming scenes.

The soap star explained she's exiting the show to pursue other work opportunities, but is leaving the door open on a possible return.

"It's going to be the end of an era, or an earring, as the EastEnders saying goes," McGarty said.

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"I've loved my time in Walford, but with the character of Whitney, bless her, she's had some awful things happen to her, and I think she needs a break," she continued.

"The door's open and I could always come back in the future. But at the moment, I want to pursue things that are in my heart, like singing — stuff that I've been doing since childhood and dreaming about."

EastEnders airs on Mondays - Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.

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Reporter, Digital Spy

Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy. 

Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).