Former EastEnders actress Shona McGarty has bravely disclosed that she suffered a secret panic attack during her time on ITV's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, an episode witnessed by no viewers but helped by a compassionate campmate.
The Hidden Struggle Before A Trial
The 34-year-old star, who finished in third place on the 2024 series, revealed the distressing moment during an appearance on Tuesday's episode of Loose Women. Speaking to the panel—Jane Moore, Nadia Sawalha, Myleene Klass, and Brenda Edwards—McGarty confirmed the incident occurred as she headed to her first live trial in the Australian jungle.
"I just got in my own head about it and had a bit of a panic," she confessed. Panellist Myleene Klass highlighted the added difficulty, noting Shona was without her usual support network of friends and family who understand how to help her in such scenarios.
An 'Amazing' Campmate Steps In
McGarty, best known for playing Whitney Dean, credited fellow contestant and comedian Eddie Kadi, 42, with being her saviour during the crisis. "Eddie was amazing. He really helped me," she explained. "He just sat beside me, squeezing me, and you just have to throw yourself into it."
When asked if she felt stronger for confronting her fears, Shona responded emphatically: "I do, I really do. I am trying to do things that scare me." She also asserted that taking part in the challenging reality show had "definitely" helped manage her anxiety, acknowledging that from the outside, her decision to enter the jungle might seem counter-intuitive.
Life After The Jungle & Addressing Rumours
Since leaving the show, McGarty's career is moving forward. It was recently announced she will join Boyzone's Ronan Keating, Calum Scott, and Louise Redknapp for the BBC's New Year's Eve special, Ronan & Friends, where she will perform West End show tunes.
The actress also addressed the romance rumours that swirled around her and rapper campmate Aitch (Harrison Armstrong) during the series. Setting the record straight, she described him as a "little brother" and a fun, hyper companion, adding that a karaoke meet-up is "on the cards."
Reflecting on her mental state before entering the jungle, Shona told the Daily Mail she was in a cycle of constant digital distraction, struggling to have deep conversations without scrolling on her phone. Her jungle journey, it seems, offered a powerful reset.
Loose Women airs weekdays from 12.30pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.
