12 December 2023 , 07:30
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EastEnders spoilers have teased what will lead to Whitney Dean's exit from the BBC soap next year.
Actress Shona McGarty confirmed her exit from the role after 15 years earlier this year, with her exit set to air in the new year. Now, new spoilers for Christmas and the first week of January have teased struggles ahead for Whitney and her partner Zack Hudson.
While spoilers on the EastEnders website hinted at a discovery shocking Whitney, other lines now reveal sad scenes for the character after a new arrival. Viewers know that Whitney and Zack looked into fostering children recently after wanting to start a family together, as tragedy earlier in the year left Whitney distraught.
After Whitney learned she was pregnant earlier this year, she and Zack were devastate when they learned their unborn baby daughter had Edwards' syndrome. Whitney gave birth to daughter Peach after beginning the process of a termination, 18 weeks into the pregnancy.
In the aftermath, Whitney and Zach struggled with their loss and after they reunited, Whitney told him she didn't want to put her body through another pregnancy and wanted to look into adoption and fostering. While it took some time for Zack to come around to this, he did agree and in upcoming scenes a young boy named Ashton is placed in their care.
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EastEnders spoilers for Christmas and New Year tease 'devastating' scenes ahead for Whitney Dean as she and partner Zack Hudson struggle (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)As Christmas approaches, Whitney is excited to spend time with the youngster - but soon Zach is admitting he is struggling to connect with the child. This causes tension between the couple, but there's heartache ahead when it's revealed Ashton is being moved to a new foster family.
Whitney struggles to cope with the news and Zack drowns his sorrows, as the pair avoid each other. Later, the pair are interrupted by the social worker who has come to collect Ashton and take him to his new foster family.
As the week goes on Whitney reveals she's received news that Ashton has settled in with his new foster family as she tries to come to terms with his premature departure. As 2024 rings in, Whitney heads to the allotment to visit Peach’s tree where she is interrupted by Yolande who shares her own experience on fostering.
Whitney breaks down as recent events take their toll on her, with Yolande comforting her. After a heart-to-heart, Whitney makes a decision and heads home - but what will she tell Zack?
Actress Shona opened up on her exit decision earlier this year. She explained it wasn't an "easy" decision leaving her friends and colleagues as well as her character behind, and feels grateful she's been trusted with some of the soap's biggest stories, including the more sensitive ones too.
Speaking to Inside Soap, she said: "It wasn’t an easy decision because I've made so many friends. I’ve seen people come and go, and meanwhile, Whitney has been one of the longest-standing characters.
"I've had so much fun and done so many storylines, some of which have been sensitive, and I've been honoured to be trusted with such heavy stuff year after year. So I'm going to be sad to say goodbye to my friends and family, but it was the right decision for me as I want to do other things. After 15 years, I’ve had a pretty good run!"
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.* Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on , , , , and .