EastEnders star Shona McGarty set to wed in 2018

EastEnders star Shona McGarty has revealed she is getting married before the end of the year.

The actress, who plays troubled Whitney in the BBC soap, has become engaged to Ryan Harris, her partner of almost five years.

McGarty, 26, said the engagement was a “complete surprise”, adding that she wants a large family with her future husband.

She told OK! Magazine: “We’re getting married towards the end of the year in the UK. It’s been a bit stressful as there are so many decisions to make!

“We’d like an Irish-themed wedding as my family is from southern Ireland. I’ll be inviting my friends from EastEnders too.”

The star added: “In bed at night I’ll show Ryan styles of wedding dresses on my phone and ask him what he thinks.

“It’s because it’s such a hard decision to make, although I wouldn’t show him the actual dress I choose before our big day.”