IT IS the EastEnders love story their co-stars have been hoping for – now soap stars Shona McGarty and Tony Discipline have confirmed their romance with an affectionate display over dinner in London’s Covent Garden.
After months of speculation about the unlucky in love pair, pals of the couple reveal everything about the budding romance as they take it up a notch and go public.
Former EastEnders stars Shona McGarty and Tony Discipline have confirmed their romance with an affectionate display over dinner in London’s Covent Garden Credit: Click News and Media
The loved-up pair were pictured holding hands across the table before leaning in for a series of passionate kisses while enjoying a date at Italian restaurant VyTA Credit: Click News and Media
Shona looked adoringly into her new beau’s eyes over dinner Credit: Click News and Media
Tony moved in for a kiss and planted one on his former co-star’s lips Credit: Click News and Media
The loved-up stars were pictured holding hands across the table before leaning in for a series of passionate kisses while enjoying a date at Italian restaurant VyTA, seemingly oblivious to fellow diners around them.
After their romantic meal, the couple strolled hand-in-hand through Covent Garden, with hunky Tony wrapping his arm around Shona as they smiled for photographers.
An onlooker told The Jattvibe: “They couldn’t keep their hands off each other. They were like a pair of giggly teenagers and looked so very much in love.”
The pictures leave little doubt that the former soap stars have taken their relationship to the next level.
Shona, 34, became a household name playing Whitney Dean on EastEnders from 2008 until her departure in 2024, while Tony, 37, played Tyler Moon between 2011 and 2013 before later leaving acting to become a firefighter with the London Fire Brigade.
When Whitney began dating Tyler in EastEnders, it led to one of the most tumultuous relationships in soapland history with infidelity and infighting galore.
Despite their on-screen chemistry, the actors were never a real-life couple during their time on the BBC soap.
At the time, Tony was dating co-star Jacqueline Jossa, while Shona was in a relationship with Matt Lapinskas, who played Tyler’s brother Anthony Moon.
The couple were seen laughing during their London dinner date Credit: Click News and Media
Shona threw her head back with as she larked about with her boyfriend Tony Credit: Click News and Media
The pair couldn’t keep their hands off each other, according to an onlooker Credit: Click News and Media
Shona was dressed in a classy blue and white dress, while Tony opted for a more casual look in shorts Credit: Click News and Media
Now, 15 years later, pals of the actors are hoping that fiction doesn’t become fact despite concerns the romance could be cursed.
I’m told the former co-stars began exchanging flirty DMs earlier this year before taking things offline.
A pal of the pair said: “They’ve been good friends for years. While there’s always been an attraction there, they were always in relationships.
“But after they both found themselves single, things began to heat up. They are taking things slowly and really enjoying each other’s company.
“Shona is very happy. He’s a lovely guy, and all their mutual friends think they are a fantastic match. He’s just her type.”
Last December, Shona came third on I’m A Celebrity in December and many viewers hoped that she and her rapper campmate Aitch would have their own romance following the show.
But my source tells me that was never on the cards.
“There was nothing romantic with Aitch. She saw him as a little brother,” said a pal.
“Tony, on the other hand, is all-man. He’s a down-to-earth hunky fireman; can you blame her?”
Shona and Tony were first pictured together looking smitten when they both attended last month’s Women’s Football Awards.
Shona’s EastEnders character Whitney dating Tony’s Tyler Moon in 2012 Credit: BBC
Whitney and Tyler’s EastEnders romance was a turbulent one Credit: BBC
The actress smiled as she placed a hand on her beau’s chest and later shared snaps of the pair on Instagram, describing it as a “great evening”.
Then last month, she put on a more amorous display with Tony at a birthday bash for EastEnders actress Lorraine Stanley held at the Ibiza-style nightclub Studio 338 in London. Tony, who also starred in BBC Soap Doctors, certainly seemed to enjoy himself, taking to Instagram to post about the day with red love heart emojis and posting to Shona, “Good times girl”.
It’s worlds away from their on-screen characters, who were constantly fighting. In EastEnders, Shona played Whitney Dean from 2008 to 2024, before quitting the soap to concentrate on her blossoming music career.
While Tony played Tyler, the troubled son of David Essex’s Eddie Moon and cousin to the legendary Queen Vic landlord Alfie Moon, from 2011 to 2013.
Seven years later, the father-of-one quit acting to become a London fireman and has swapped scripts for weights, with the former actor clearly hitting the gym in his new career.
It’s a transformation that Shona clearly approves of after peppering photos of the muscle-bound worker with fire emojis as he wore a tight vest.
One pal said: “It is lovely how they have stayed in touch over the years and supported each other’s careers. Last year, Tony even turned to support Shona when she starred in West End musical Bettie Page.”
The new romance has certainly caught the imaginations of some of their former co-stars, and I’m told it is the talk of Elstree, where they famously film the London soap.
One insider said: “You know what the EastEnders cast are like; they love a good gossip. So when they saw the pictures of Shona and Tony, it was all anyone could talk about.
“All eyes were on Jac [Jossa] because she got there first.”
It’s thought the former co-stars began exchanging flirty DMs earlier this year before taking things offline Credit: Instagram
Tony was seen partying with Shona at Lorraine Stanley’s birthday party last month Credit: Instagram
During his time on Eastenders, Tony’s character Tyler found himself bouncing between Whitney Dean, played by Shona, and Lauren Branning, played by Jacqueline Jossa.
And off-screen, Tony and Jacqueline began dating, with the pair lasting 18 months before splitting in 2013, around the time that he left the soap.
Shona, who recently wowed fans with her single Unapologetically Me, has previously been unlucky in love.
After a split in 2013, Shona went on to have a long-term relationship with electrician Ryan Harris, who she got engaged to in 2018 before they split two years later.
Then in 2022, she briefly dated Max Bowden, who played Ben Mitchell in the soap, and later went on to date David Bracken, an Irish musician before calling time on the relationship last year.
My insider adds: “Of course, some are concerned. It’s not the first time Shona has dated a co-star – or him for that matter – and it’s never ended well.”
“Let’s hope this time it’s different and not a curse. Everyone wants Shona to get her fairytale ending. She really deserves it.”
With these latest pictures proving the couple are more loved-up than ever, it could be time for their former co-stars to start looking for a hat.
