Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) left Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) stunned in recent EastEnders scenes when she admitted that she had paid to take in Britney Wainwright (Lola Campbell).
In tonight’s (March 28) episode, she admitted that she had handed over £2000 to bring Britney back to Walford, leaving Lauren horrified.
As Whitney divulged more details, including the fact that Britney has a brother who was left behind with his dad, Lauren became more incensed, and insisted that she tell partner Zack Hudson (James Farrar) the truth, pointing out that she could get in serious legal trouble.
Whitney couldn’t see what the big deal was, given that she had given that she had given Britney a safe home, but before Lauren had time to argue they were interrupted by Peter Beale (Thomas Law) and his date.
Later, Lauren pulled Whitney aside at her birthday party and asked what she planned to do when it came to enrolling Britney in school or with a doctor.
As Whitney shrugged and said she’d address that when the time came, Lauren reiterated that she could end up going to prison for this, and may even bring Zack down with her.
Lauren pointed out that her actions could be seen as child trafficking, which clearly left Whitney shaken.
However, when Lauren later urged her once again to tell Zack the truth, Whitney expressed her concerns that Britney was too fragile for everything to go wrong.
Giving in, Lauren warned her that she would have to tell Zack eventually, but agreed to let Britney settle in first.
Though Whitney promised to tell Zack the truth, will she go through with it?With Whitney set to leave the show soon, could she end up getting in serious trouble for paying Britney’s mum, and could Zack find himself pulled down as well?
EastEnders fans have worked out how Whitney Dean will depart Walford for good.
Tonight, Whitney – played by Shona McGarty – was questioned by her best friend Lauren Branning after she found out that Whitney had paid off Britney’s mum to informally adopt her. Whilst Whitney and Zack are licensed foster parents, she was adamant it would take way too long for the formal process to go through and decided she’d pay Britney’s mum to take her off her hands.
Britney is now back in Walford alongside Whitney but she is struggling to settle in and can sense Zack is not happy with them being back as he thinks Britney needs much more support than the two of them can give with their own impending arrival.
However, fans are convinced they’ve rumbled a huge twist after a comment made by Lauren tonight. One suggested: “Maybe this will be Whitney’s exit? She does go to prison for taking Britney like Lauren says, perhaps Britney’s mum makes it out to be worse (so Whitney gets a longer sentence). She gives birth in prison and Zack has to raise the baby alone? This will mean Zack will stay and have his own baby. Plus, a first time single dad story will be quite refreshing.”
Zack has struggled having Britney around (
BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Shona has opened up about her departure from the BBC soap, explaining why she decided to leave the programme.
Speaking about her decision to leave, she 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 which will endure.”
She later admitted it wasn’t an easy decision to leave, adding: “It wasn’t an easy decision because I’ve made so many friends. I’ve seen people come and go, and meanwhile, Whitney has been one of the longest-standing characters.
“I’ve had so much fun and done so many storylines, some of which have been sensitive, and I’ve been honoured to be trusted with such heavy stuff year after year. So I’m going to be sad to say goodbye to my friends and family, but it was the right decision for me as I want to do other things. After 15 years, I’ve had a pretty good run!”
It is not believe that Zack Hudson (played by James Farrar) is leaving Walford too, so could this be the perfect way for Whitney to make her exit from Albert Square without Zack having to leave too?
