EastEnders Star Shona McGarty Declares Former Co-Star Boyfriend Tony Discipline 'The One'

EastEnders actress Shona McGarty has revealed that she considers her former co-star boyfriend Tony Discipline to be 'the one' and that she would 'marry him tomorrow.' The 34-year-old soap star, who played Whitney Dean from 2008 to 2024, had a fictional romance with Discipline's character, Tyler Moon, before he departed the show in 2013 to pursue a career as a firefighter.

McGarty and Discipline initially attempted to translate their on-screen chemistry to an off-screen relationship, but their romance reportedly fizzled out due to the COVID-19 pandemic and busy schedules. However, the couple rekindled their romance earlier this year, a decision McGarty states has brought her significant happiness.

In a recent interview with Closer Magazine, McGarty described her current relationship as making her 'really happy.' She stated, 'I've honestly found my one. Tony is the ultimate gentleman and he treats me like a queen. He makes me laugh, he compliments me all the time and he genuinely wants me to do well. I just adore him.' She further elaborated on her feelings, saying, 'Straight away. We've always liked each other.' McGarty added, 'I'd marry him tomorrow! In my book of life, I've got all these chapters that are part of my story but now I'm at the chapter where I've found my one.'

Discipline also recently hinted at a future proposal. Speaking at the opening night of lyricist Don Black's West End show, Discipline expressed his commitment to McGarty, saying, 'Absolutely, that is the love of my life, she's the love of my life. I don't want anyone else. That's my woman, that's my soulmate.' He reflected on their past connection, noting, 'We were boyfriend and girlfriend in the show so you build up some kind of rapport. Maybe there was some kind of underlying chemistry there, but in the last year or so it's really gone up a notch.'

This rekindled romance follows McGarty's split from her fiancé David Bracken less than a year ago. The actress and the Irish guitarist had become engaged after he proposed in London's Holland Park, but they mutually ended their relationship prior to McGarty's appearance on I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in November 2024. McGarty was also rumored to be close to rapper Aitch, a fellow contestant on the ITV show.

Discipline is not the first former EastEnders actor McGarty has dated. Previously, she was in relationships with Matt Lapinskas, who played Tyler Moon's on-screen brother Anthony Moon, and Max Bowden, who portrayed Ben Mitchell. Additionally, Discipline had previously dated McGarty's friend Jacqueline Jossa, who continues to star as Lauren Branning in the BBC soap.