EastEnders star Shona McGarty ‘splits from fiancé David Bracken’ – a year after he proposed

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Shona McGarty and her fiancé, David Bracken, have reportedly ended their engagement after just over a year. He proposed to her in Holland Park, London.

The 34-year-old actress, known for her role in EastEnders, and the guitarist from Ireland connected in 2023 when David sent her a message on TikTok. He’d seen one of her videos and asked if she’d be interested in recording a song together.

Reports say the couple have ended their engagement amicably and are still friends.

A source told The Sun: ‘They are on amicable terms, but have ended their romantic relationship. 

They both realized they were heading in different directions and decided it was best to remain friends. Shona is now concentrating on her music and building her career.

Daily Mail has contacted Shona’s representative for comment. 

This follows Shona’s revelation last year that she was completely surprised by David’s proposal. Shona, who played the iconic Whitney Dean on the soap opera for more than 16 years, said she hadn’t known David, a member of the Irish band Blessed, was planning to ask her to marry him.

The couple was having a romantic picnic when the police unexpectedly arrived, almost spoiling their date.

David told OK! magazine that when the police came to shut down the park, he asked them for a few more minutes because he was about to propose.

Oh my gosh, you will NOT believe this! He actually went to talk to the police, right when everything was perfect! And they were like, ‘Sorry, we’re shutting down the park!’ Can you imagine?! But he, bless his heart, explained he was about to propose! He asked if they’d just give him five minutes! And the officer? Totally understood! He checked his watch and said, ‘Of course, and good luck!’ Seriously, it was the sweetest thing, and it let him have the perfect moment. I’m still getting chills just thinking about it!

I asked Shona to meet me by the waterfall in the park. Then, while our favorite song was playing, we danced together, and I proposed.

David picked a peaceful spot in the park, Kyoto Garden, which is a place Shona cherishes.

She shared that she’s a big fan of Japanese culture and its spiritual side. He surprised her with a picnic, which she thought was really thoughtful. She had a wonderful time, feeling completely comfortable and happy, and was totally shocked when he proposed!

You know how sometimes you just know with someone? That’s exactly how it was for Shona with David. She said their connection felt completely different from anything she’d experienced before – it just felt right, like he was ‘the one.’

They also told the publication they’d begun planning their weddings, including considering colors and potential venues.

Shona mentioned they were planning to get married around 2025, and a Christmas wedding was a possibility they were considering.

She mentioned they probably plan to get married in Ireland, since many of their family members live there.

Shona shared that many of the actors from EastEnders will be invited to their wedding, as they’ve been important in her and her partner’s relationship.

Shona subtly revealed she was dating the Irish musician back in September 2023 by posting a black-and-white photo of their hands holding each other. David’s recognizable tattoo was visible in the picture.

The actress shared a heartfelt message, beginning with the word ‘I promise.’ She paired this with a beautiful quote by John Lennon, stating, ‘Love is a promise, a souvenir—something given that you never forget or lose.’

Just two days before, David had posted the same photo with a caption that read, ‘A promise is a promise. Never to be broken. #happy #happyplace.’

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2025-11-02 03:18