Congratulations are in order for former EastEnders star Shona McGarty, who has revealed that she is engaged to partner David Bracken.

The actor, who played the role of Whitney Dean until May this year, shared the happy news that she and the Irish musician will tie the knot.

Opening up about the proposal, Shona and David revealed that the moment in a London park almost didn’t happen as police were closing the area at the time.

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“The police turned up – they were making some announcement with a loud speaker and we couldn’t make out what they were saying,” Shona recalled to OK!. “David went over to talk to them and I had no idea what he said because I was just eating cheese and crackers!”

David added: “I went over to the police, who said, ‘Sorry, we are just closing the park.’ I said, ‘Would you mind giving me five minutes as I am about to propose to my partner?’

“He looked at his watch and said of course, and best of luck. I told Shona to go and stand by the waterfall in the park. I put on our favourite song and had a dance with her before getting down on one knee.”

Shona further revealed that they hope to tie the knot “in the next year or two”, and plan to have the big day in Ireland due to their respective links to the country.

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“We’re thinking of a Christmas wedding,” Shona teased. “David loves Christmas and I love winter and the cold and the lights.”

After posting the big news on Instagram, Shona has received a host of congratulations from her EastEnders co-stars, with Clair Norris (Bernie Taylor) writing: “Stunning!!!! Congratulations.”

“Congratulations!” added Diane Parish (Denise Fox), while Lacey Turner (Stacey Slater) wrote: “Ohhhhhhhh I absolutely love this.”