EastEnders' Whitney Got Engaged In Real Life And The Proposal Was So Sweet

22 January 2018, 12:16 | Updated: 22 January 2018, 12:27

Shona McGarty Engaged

A big congratulations to the couple!

EastEnders star Shona McGarty has got engaged to long term boyfriend of 5 years Ryan Harris.

Shona, who plays feisty Whitney Dean in the soap, announced that her beau had thrown her a surprise party for her 26th birthday in October last year, and decide to add to the excitement by popping the question!

The loved up lass explained that he'd hid her engagement ring inside her birthday cake, and encouraged her to cut it.

She told OK!: "Ryan asked me to cut the birthday cake and I was like: 'Why? We’re not getting married!'"

"There was a box on the top of the cake and Ryan asked me to open the box. When I opened it there was a ring inside and I turned around and Ryan was down on one knee and I started crying."

Electrician Ryan and Shona found love after being introduced to each other by a mutual friend, after both finding comfort in one another following respective break-ups.

Despite the engagement taking her by surprise, the happy couple have decided not to hang around and are planning to throw an "Irish-themed wedding" towards the end of this year - and Shona will be inviting all her EastEnders pals.

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Ryan already has two children, but Shona is keen to add to the brood. She explained: "I would like a football team, though! I come from a big Irish family so I want loads of children – we’d definitely like a large family."

Shona first found fame as Whitney in EastEnders back in 2008, and has since become a much-loved part of the show.

Congratulations Shona and Ryan! 

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