A FORMER EastEnders star is planning a huge pop career – months after leaving Albert Square.

Shona McGarty played popular Whitney Dean from 2008 until leaving in 2024.

Taking to Instagram, the star posted a photo of herself alongside musician and record producer Steve Anderson.

She captioned: “My happy place! Working with @mrsteveanderson is an absolute dream, we got so much accomplished in our studio session yesterday, and I feel it is all coming together nicely.

“Do you guys want a little sneak peek at something we recorded?”

One fan commented: “No way! This is awesome x.”

Another wrote: “Sneak peak pleaseeee! You’re looking beautiful girl so proud of you girl.”

A third added: “Yes can’t wait to hear your music Shona.”

While a fourth shared: “So happy for you! You deserve every bit of happiness and success.”

Through the production group Brothers in Rhythym, Steve has worked with artists including Kylie Minogue and Westlife.

As for Shona, the actress first announced her decision to leave EastEnders back in 2023.

Speaking exclusively to The Sun on Sunday, Shona said: “I have decided to spread my wings and will be leaving EastEnders. I have loved my years in the show.

“I have been trusted with some incredible storylines and have made amazing friendships — and family — which will endure.”

Whitney’s final storylines built towards her wedding with fiancé Zack Hudson.

It saw her adoptive mother – and show legend – Bianca Jackson make a comeback to the Square.

However, Whitney was left devastated upon learning Zack cheated on her on her wedding day and furiously called the whole thing off.

She told Zack: “It’s OK that you didn’t love me enough. Maybe I didn’t love you enough either, because if I did then maybe I wouldn’t have lied to you about Britney?

“I feel that love for Peach, we both do. But do you think maybe that love and that pain kept us together for longer than it should have.

“It gave us Dolly though and I’ll never regret the time we had together but it’s over.”

After cutting ties with Bianca – who’d kept quiet about Zack’s infidelity Whitney left alongside Britney and Dolly for a new life in Wakefield.

While she got a prestigious Julia’s Theme send-off, viewers weren’t too pleased with Whitney’s exit.

One wrote: “#EastEnders this is possibly up there with the worst ending especially for Whitney. I wish her and Jay got together had a baby and left the square happily ever after.”

Another added: ”Shona McGarty’s final episode might quite possibly be one of the worst episodes I’ve ever endured. That’s exactly what it felt like. I had to endure it.

“I never wanna hear the names Whitney, Britney or Peach & the phrase ‘what’s best for my daughters Zack’ ever again. #Eastenders”

A third remarked: “Worst exit story ever, Whitney deserved better after all the trauma they put her through on this show. Logging out until Christmas, what a disappointment #Eastenders.”