- Shona McGarty opened up about her engagement split on I’m A Celebrity, touching fans with her candidness
- A heartfelt conversation between Shona and Tom Read Wilson saw him encourage her to focus on herself
- Fans celebrated the tender moment, praising Tom’s kind words
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I’m A Celebrity star Shona McGarty opened up about her recent split from her fiancé on Thursday evening’s instalment of the ITV reality show, in a moment that touched fans.
The jungle antics returned for what was the first live trial in six years – and didn’t pass without Vogue Williams vomiting live on air – but it was a moment earlier in the episode that got fans talking.
Ex-EastEnders star Shona, 34, spoke with Tom Read Wilson about breaking things off with her Irish guitarist fiancé David Bracken, shortly before she flew south to enter the jungle.
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Her admission was prompted by engagement talk in the Doomsville camp, with Aitch sharing tales of fans proposing marriage to him at meet and greets, while Kelly Brook said she had been proposed to several times over herself.
During the discussion, Shona silently got up and walked away. While doing the dishes with Celebs Go Dating favourite Tom, she explained why.
‘I just broke up with my fiancé, so I just walked away,’ she whispered to the E4 reality show receptionist.
He immediately replied: ‘I think you did a really sensible thing. Sometimes you have to tread water where you are.’
The conversation then turned to talk of Shona’s future, as she told Tom she ‘really wants’ to start a family and get married one day, and he comforted her.
Tom said: ‘Focus on you now, what turns you on in your talents. People in your orbit will celebrate you and your orbit will grow, and one day by accident somewhere in that orbit will be that person.’
He then added: ‘You are a raving beauty,’ which Shona was clearly touched by and thanked him for saying.
I’m A Celebrity viewers were similarly moved by the moment, with @ixdn930 writing on an Instagram comment underneath a clip of the conversation: ‘This was beautiful from Tom.
‘He didn’t ask for gossip or the down low on what went on he didn’t even mention the partner he focused fully on her and supporting her independently not her in a relationship. She needed to hear this.’
The thoughts were echoed by @walshgoddard, who wrote: ‘What a beautiful conversation from two beautiful people. I wish I had a Tom in my life. He is a beautiful, beautiful soul.’
‘The most beautiful conversation made,’ wrote @india_parkerh.
Shona found fame playing Whitney Dean in the BBC soap, which she first joined at the age of 18. She left the role in May last year.
Shona met guitarist David after he got in touch via TikTok in 2023, asking whether she’d like to collaborate on a song.
One year later, at Holland Park in London, David popped the question.
A source claimed in November this year that the pair had since called off the engagement, telling The Sun: ‘They are on amicable terms, but have ended their romantic relationship.’
‘There are no hard feelings, they realised they wanted different things and are better off as friends. Shona is now focusing on her music and career.’
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! returns on Thursday at 9pm on ITV1, STV, ITVX & STV Player.
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