EastEnders star Shona McGarty announces engagement to boyfriend Ryan Harris after surprise birthday proposal

Electrician Harris popped the question as McGarty turned 26 
Surprise: McGarty was surprised at a golf course by boyfriend Harris
Getty Images
Safeeyah Kazi22 January 2018
The Weekender

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EastEnders’ Shona McGarty has announced her engagement to boyfriend Ryan Harris following a surprise birthday proposal.

Despite the soap actress’ character Whitney Carter often being unlucky in love, McGarty’s electrician boyfriend popped the question on her 26th birthday.

McGarty revealed that Harris held proposed at a golf course where a choir she sings with “burst into song”.

Speaking to OK! she said: “When I cut the cake, there was a box on the top of the cake with a ring inside. When I opened it there was a ring inside and I turned around and Ryan was down on one knee and I started crying."

Future family: The pair are open to expanding their family in the future ( Dave Benett)
Dave Benett

McGarty said that her relationship with Harris, who is father to Scarlett and Alfie, has helped them both overcome previous heartache.

She said: “Obviously it was harder for Ryan, but my break-up was publicly humiliating for me, so that was hard.

"To be honest I never thought I'd go out with someone who already had children, but it couldn't have worked out any better. It's so lovely and I couldn't imagine my life without them now."

The couple are reportedly planning to expand their family in the future.

"I always say I'd like to start when I'm around 30, but you never know what's going to happen”, the Hertfordshire actress said.

She added: "I come from a big Irish family so I want loads of children - we'd definitely like a large family."

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