EastEnders' Shona McGarty suspended for lateness

EastEnders actress Shona McGarty, who plays Whitney Dean, has been suspended from the soap for four weeks. The 20-year-old was previously warned about her persistent lateness, and now she has been punished.

Executive producer Lorraine Newman personally told the young actress about the suspension following behaviour that annoyed the cast and crew.

A source told the Daily Star: "Shona failed to turn up on time on more than one occasion and was really laid back about why she was late. People are understanding when it's once or even twice but her lateness was becoming a huge problem. It regularly held up the filming of vital scenes and angered fellow cast and crew members who were forced to work late because of her."

This isn't the first time Shona's landed in hot water; she threw yoghurt around in an Asda branch back in March and was asked to leave the store. Boyfriend and co-star Matt Lapinskas (Anthony Moon) was with her at the time.

Following this latest episode, Shona McGarty is said to be contrite and has apologised. An EastEnders spokesperson also confirmed: "Shona has been suspended for repeatedly being late."