EastEnders icon whose departure from the Square was called ‘the end of an era’ is unrecognisable with sixties inspired new look… can you guess who it is?

She left Albert Square last year after 16 years on EastEnders.

Her surprise departure, and emotional exit storyline, had fans sobbing as they dubbed it the ‘end of an era’. 

Since quitting her soap role, this actress has sought out new acting ventures and recently made her West End debut.

And in a new Instagram snap, the star is unrecognisable, ditching her signature soap look for glam sixties inspired makeup and a short bob haircut.

But can you guess who this iconic soap star is? 

In a new Instagram snap, this actress is unrecognisable, ditching her signature look for glam sixties inspired makeup and a bob haircut. But can you guess who this iconic soap star is?

It’s EastEnders favourite Shona McGarty!

The actress showed off her retro look in new social media snaps over the weekend, posing in sparkling blue eye makeup teamed with a figure hugging baby blue dress. 

Shona has been trying out new looks as she turns her hand to singing, belting out classics at club nights alongside recording some new music in the studio. 

The busy star also recently wrapped up her West End debut in the musical Queen of the Pin-Ups, playing Bettie Page.

Shona, 33, who portrayed legend Whitney Dean on EastEnders for over 16 years, bid an emotional farewell tp her character back in May to ‘explore other opportunities,’ explaining that she wanted to try out new ventures before she felt ‘too old’. 

Explaining that turning 30 had changed her perspective on things, Shona admitted: ‘It was a really difficult decision because it’s all I’ve ever known. I pretty much grew up on the Square, so I feel like I’m leaving home.

‘But I had to put on my big girl pants and be quite brave, because life is so short, and you feel that more and more as you get older.’

Her character’s departure was named the ‘end of an era’ by fans who were left ‘crying’ as they struggled to watch. 

It’s EastEnders favourite Shona McGarty! Shona, 33, who portrayed legend Whitney Dean on EastEnders for over 16 years, bid an emotional farewell to the soap back in May

The actress showed off her retro look in new social media snaps over the weekend, posing in sparkling blue eye makeup teamed with a figure hugging baby blue dress

But, luckily for Shona soap bosses have left the door open, with Whitey moving to Wakefield to be closer to her brother, Ryan Malloy. 

‘I left on the bus and not under it, so for that I’m really grateful,’ the soapstar told The Sun. 

‘I would absolutely go back to EastEnders – it’s 16 years of creating a family, I grew up on that show.’ 

Shona added that she has maintained a good relationship with EastEnders, but there is no scope for her to return right away. 

Whitney made her debut in 2008, aged 16, and has been at the centre of multiple explosive storylines over the last 16 years.

But her most recent, potentially her last, was the most heartbreaking so far.

Shona has been trying out new looks as she turns her hand to singing, belting out classics at club nights alongside recording some new music in the studio

Her final episodes in May, saw Whitney’s partner and father to her newborn Dolly, Zack Hudson, break her heart after he cheated with childhood pal Lauren Branning.

Unable to cope with the betrayal, she decided it was her time to say goodbye to her home in Walford and move to Wakefield to be closer to her brother, Ryan Malloy.

The new mother’s big plans were initially overwhelming, but she felt reassured when her adoptive mother, Bianca, offered to join her. 

This plan soon crashed and burned as Whitney felt betrayed once more when she learned Bianca knew all along about Zack and Lauren’s secret and didn’t tell her.

Whitney refused to let Bianca join her and decided to leave alone with Dolly and her foster child, Britney Wainwright.

Shona quit EastEnders to ‘explore other opportunities,’ explaining that she wanted to try out new opportunities before she felt ‘too old’ (pictured in the soap in 2021)

Before jumping on the bus to escape the heartache and suffering, Whitney attempted closure by meeting with Zack and Lauren separately.

After an emotional final goodbye at her leaving do in the Vic, residents walked Whitney to her bus stop and soap extras gave her a hug and kiss on the way.

Whitney held her head high and quietly sobbed as she made her way through the square for the final time – a scene so emotional that fans at home were reduced to tears and begged for her return in the future.