For Jennifer McGarty, watching her daughter Shona's transformative moment in the I'm a Celebrity jungle provided the reassurance she'd been desperately seeking. The EastEnders actress, who recently left her role as Whitney Dean after 16 years, experienced a significant breakthrough during a heartfelt conversation about mental health with fellow campmate Ruby Wax.
The Jungle Breakthrough
Jennifer witnessed her daughter's face light up during a quiet jungle conversation with comedian and mental health advocate Ruby Wax. "I could see little Shona's face light up, as she thought 'oh good. I am actually smashing this... I am doing it. I am coping,'" Jennifer revealed in an exclusive interview.
Speaking from her home thousands of miles away from the Australian jungle, Jennifer immediately recognised the significance of that moment. "It was a weight off our minds," she confessed. "We know her really well, and you can tell when she is smiling and if it is genuine, and when it is not. She has been naturally herself, which she always said she would be."
This breakthrough held particular importance because Shona, 34, had previously admitted her mental health had been "pretty bad" over the last four or five years. Before entering the jungle, she expressed concerns that her anxiety "might rear its ugly head" in the challenging camp environment.
Leaving Whitney Dean Behind
Jennifer revealed that her daughter's decision to join I'm a Celebrity formed part of a broader life transformation. After portraying Whitney Dean on EastEnders since 2008, Shona had been contemplating a career change for several years.
"She was toying with the decision to leave for a couple of years," Jennifer explained. "It is a brave move, because EastEnders is regular and comfortable, both financially and emotionally."
The actress is determined to demonstrate that her real personality differs significantly from the character that made her famous. "People need to know Shona now, and not Whitney," her mother emphasised. "It is so easy, after so long, to get typecast but I think people who know her... know she is far removed from Whitney."
From Childhood Adventures to Jungle Challenges
Jennifer shared fascinating insights into Shona's childhood, suggesting her daughter's adventurous spirit prepared her perfectly for jungle life. "She definitely is rough and tumble," Jennifer laughed. "The stories of her childhood are nightmares. Even as a child, she used to impress all the boys at primary school by putting snails on her belly and eating worms. She was afraid of nothing, and I knew the challenges would not be a problem."
When the initial opportunity to join I'm a Celebrity arose, Jennifer's reaction was immediate and supportive. "It was such an amazing opportunity. And it was, 'why can't you do it?' I knew she could do it."
The jungle experience has also allowed Shona to showcase her remarkable singing talent, which left viewers stunned during her performance of Tina Turner's Proud Mary with Martin Kemp. Jennifer recalled discovering her daughter's vocal ability when Shona was just seven years old.
"I realised it was in the playground in primary school when she was seven," Jennifer remembered. "One of the teachers came over and said Shona had just given a rendition of Amazing Grace, which I did not even know she knew. I was thinking: 'are you talking to me?'"
Despite her natural shyness, Jennifer noted that "once she gets up there, you cannot get her off. You need a big hook to tell her time's up. It inspires confidence in her when she sings. She is herself when singing."
Looking ahead, Jennifer confirmed that Shona has been writing and recording new music and has "lots in her pipeline." As the nation continues to watch Shona's jungle journey, Jennifer believes she knows who her daughter misses most - the family dog Cece Bloom, named after a Bette Midler character.
