Shona McGarty Reveals Heartfelt Words from Aitch That Left Her Speechless – Fans Gush: ‘They’re SO Sweet!’

In the unforgiving wilds of the Australian jungle, where stars confront creepy crawlies and personal vulnerabilities on ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, genuine connections are often forged amid the chaos. This year’s series proved no exception, with former EastEnders actress Shona McGarty forming a particularly close bond with Manchester rapper Aitch – a friendship that sparked widespread romance speculation and left fans declaring them “SO sweet” and a “cute couple”.

McGarty, 34, who finished an impressive third place in the 2025 series behind runner-up Tom Read Wilson and winner Angry Ginge, has now opened up about the poignant moment that rendered her speechless. Following Aitch’s emotional semi-final exit on December 6 – a shock elimination that saw the bookies’ favourite depart just short of the final – Shona reflected on his supportive words during her post-jungle interviews.

In a candid chat on Lorraine, the actress, fresh from her jungle stint, shared how Aitch, whose real name is Harrison Armstrong, 25, boosted her confidence with a deeply personal compliment. “He told me I was incredibly captivating in his eyes,” she revealed, blushing at the memory. The remark came amid late-night camp conversations where the pair bonded over their shared passion for music, with Aitch encouraging Shona’s aspirations to launch a singing career after leaving EastEnders.

Shona, who played Whitney Dean on the BBC soap for 16 years before departing in 2024, entered the jungle single following the end of her nine-year engagement to musician David Bracken. Aitch, meanwhile, was also newly single after parting ways with girlfriend Lois Cottam weeks before the show. Their chemistry was evident from the start: playful pillow fights in the secondary Doomsville camp, heartfelt pep talks, and Aitch’s early confession to campmate Angry Ginge that he had a “soft spot” for Shona, noting her “yellow” eyes during an intense gaze.

Viewers lapped it up, with social media ablaze. “They’re SO sweet, such a cute couple!” gushed one fan, while others dissected reunion clips from the final episode, where a freshly scrubbed Aitch embraced a still-grimy Shona yelling, “I stink!” Hashtags like #Shitch trended, and fan edits of their moments went viral.

Yet both stars have been quick to quash romance rumours. In her exit interview with hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, Shona described Aitch as “like my little brother”, explaining: “I’m over 10 years older than him – the rumours are rubbish! We just had the same energy level, we were hyper and silly.” She emphasised his vulnerability beneath the “rapper persona”, adding: “I felt like an older sister and wanted to protect him.”

Aitch echoed this sentiment post-elimination, telling The Sun: “Romantic, no, not at all. She’s a good friend of mine. We’re cut from the same cloth, same sense of humour.” He revealed 95% of their chats revolved around music, with him urging Shona not to fear performing. “Knowing she’s pursuing music, it was just advice – there’s only me and Martin [Kemp] she could talk to about that,” he said, noting no one speculated romance with the married Spandau Ballet star.

The pair’s nine-year age gap fuelled much of the intrigue, alongside stolen glances and supportive gestures, like Aitch’s pre-trial encouragement to Shona. But insiders and former campmates, including Ruby Wax and Vogue Williams, described it as platonic sibling vibes. Some fans even spotted brief “tension” in the reunion over a prank involving stolen milk bottle sweets, though Shona laughed it off.

The 2025 series, marking the show’s 25th anniversary, drew massive viewership, particularly among younger audiences thanks to influencers like winner Angry Ginge (Morgan Burtwistle) and Aitch. Shona’s third-place finish capped a transformative experience; she spoke openly about overcoming anxiety, calling the jungle a “healing process”.

As Shona eyes music releases – she dropped single “Unapologetically Me” earlier this year – and Aitch returns to touring, their friendship endures. He’s teased introducing her to industry contacts, hinting at potential collaborations. While no jungle romance blossomed, their bond captivated viewers, proving I’m A Celebrity‘s enduring power to create heartfelt connections that linger long after the bridge.

Fans may hope for more, but for now, Shona and Aitch insist: it’s strictly sweet, not romantic.