EastEnders fans beg for iconic character Whitney Dean to return just hours ... trends now
EastEnders fans have begged for iconic character Whitney Dean to return just hours after she made an emotional farewell to Albert Square on Thursday.
As the new mother, played by Shona McGarty, sobbed during her final scenes, fans were left 'crying' as they struggled to watch the actress leave the square for good.
TV buffs dubbed her exit as an 'end of an era' for the BBC One soap as Shona, 32, made the decision to quit last year to 'explore other opportunities'.
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.
EastEnders fans have begged for iconic character Whitney Dean to return just hours after she made an emotional farewell to Albert Square on Thursday as 'sobbing' viewers dubbed it an 'end of an era'
As the new mother, played by Shona McGarty, sobbed during her final scenes, fans were left 'crying' as they struggled to watch the actress leave the square for good
Recent episodes 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, Whitney 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.
Before jumping on the bus to escape the heartache and suffering, Whitney attempted closure by meetingwith 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.
Recent episodes 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, Whitney decided it was her time to say goodbye to her home in Watford 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 (pictured) secret and didn't tell her
Unable to see past her part in the scandal, Whitney refused to let Bianca join her and decided to leave alone with Dolly and her foster child, Britney Wainwright
Fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their devastation and heartbreak. They dubbed her exit the end of an era and 'bawled their eyes out'.
One penned: 'Didn't think I would cry this much over Whitney leaving #eastenders'
'Goodbye Whitney, your days of suffering are finally over. Eastenders didn't have to make me cry though.'
'Well it's definitely an end of an era for Whitney on I was absolutely bawling my eyes out at end of tonight's Eastenders as the beautiful Whitney left all the best for the future u will be sadly missed Lots of love beautiful'
'End of an era. What a lovely, touching, moving and nice way too end her stint in Albert Square. Whitney Dean will be missed. At least the doors being left open if she ever returns in the future. # Eastenders'
' I'm Gonna Miss Whitney So Much Been Watching Since I Was A Kid Hope To See Her Return Sometime In The Future Soon #whitneydean #eastenders @bbceastenders @ShonaBM Tough Truth. @Toughtruth'
'Nice exit scene for Whitney tonight. I'll miss @ShonaBM I hope there will be a time for a return for Whitney I hope it's not the last we see of her. Good luck to Shona on your next project. And I like Whitney got Julia's theme for her departure. # EastEnders'
'At least Whitney can return in the future!! Although she is one of the main reasons I have watched EastEnders for so long'
Fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their devastation and heartbreak. They dubbed her exit the end of an era and 'bawled their eyes out'
'I wish they braught (sic) back Tiffany for Whitney's exit. Such a wasted opportunity in not bringing her back especially as she arrived in Walford with her 16 years ago Hopefully Whitney will return when Dolly is much older. Or Zack brings Dolly back to Walford for a bit #EastEnders'
And devastated fans could have their wish come true.
Ahead of the final scenes, Shona took to Instagram with a teary clip and confessed it was her decision to leave but teased that the door is 'wide open'
