Shona McGarty Walks Out of Jungle Camp Chat as Emotional Fiancé Split Resurfaces During Proposal Stories

Tensions rose sharply in the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! camp this week when actress Shona McGarty abruptly walked out of a group conversation about engagements and marriage proposals. The EastEnders star, 34, who recently ended her engagement shortly before entering the jungle, found herself overwhelmed as campmates began swapping personal stories about love, long-term relationships, and the pressure of commitment.

The emotional moment unfolded during Thursday night’s episode, after a light-hearted conversation about proposals unexpectedly shifted into much deeper territory. It began with Kelly Brook, who candidly revealed that she had been engaged “about five times” before marrying her now-husband, Jeremy Parisi. Brook explained that Parisi “never really proposed” in the traditional sense, adding with a smile that he had spent early months of their relationship terrified that any engagement would signal “the beginning of the end” because of her history.

Brook described how she ultimately initiated the marriage conversation herself, finding comfort and stability in a partnership that unfolded naturally rather than theatrically. Her honesty prompted Martin Kemp to share his own experience, admitting that he, too, had “never proposed” in the classic, kneeling-in-romance manner so often associated with big gestures. Kemp explained that his marriage came out of mutual understanding rather than a grand declaration—a comment that drew laughs, nods, and a few raised eyebrows around the campfire.

But what began as a cheerful sharing of personal anecdotes shifted tone when another campmate opened up about his own marriage journey, revealing an unexpected confession about how his relationship milestones unfolded. The revelation stirred the group, creating a moment of emotional vulnerability that hit McGarty far harder than anyone anticipated.

McGarty listened quietly at first, but as the conversation deepened and other campmates began chiming in with stories of love, proposals, and long-term partners, her expression tightened. Viewers could see the actress visibly wrestling with her emotions. Moments later, her eyes glossed over with a mixture of sadness and tension.

Sensing the rising discomfort, one campmate asked gently if she was alright. McGarty managed a tight smile before standing abruptly and whispering, “I just… I can’t.” She excused herself, walking away from the fire and into the dimly lit jungle path.

The remaining campmates fell silent, stunned by the sudden turn. The emotional weight of the moment was palpable—even through the screen.

McGarty’s reaction stems from a deeply personal chapter in her life. Shortly before flying to Australia to join the reality competition, she ended her engagement to Irish musician David Bracken. The breakup came just months after the pair had announced their engagement, and McGarty later acknowledged the split was fresh, painful, and still very raw.

In earlier episodes, she had hinted at the emotional complexities surrounding the separation but had avoided going into detail. Thursday night’s proposal discussion, however, brought those emotions to the forefront in unavoidable ways.

Producers captured McGarty later in the Bush Telegraph, explaining her walkout with notable vulnerability. “It’s still very new,” she admitted. “I’m trying to stay strong, but sometimes conversations catch you when you’re not prepared. I didn’t want to get upset in front of everyone.”

Her honesty resonated with viewers, many of whom praised her online for acknowledging her feelings rather than forcing herself to remain in a conversation that was triggering or overwhelming. Social media quickly flooded with support from fans expressing empathy for the actress and admiration for her willingness to bow out of a moment that was simply too painful.

Back at camp, the remaining celebrities reflected on the walkout with sympathy rather than judgment. Several discussed the emotional strain of being in the jungle, where exhaustion, hunger, and isolation can intensify even the faintest personal emotions. “You forget how much people carry with them,” one campmate observed. “In here, everything feels bigger.”

McGarty eventually returned to the group later that evening, offering quiet hugs and smiling as campmates reassured her. While the moment was raw, it also highlighted a genuine camaraderie forming in a season that has already delivered powerful glimpses of vulnerability behind the usual challenges and chaos.

For many viewers, McGarty’s walkout wasn’t a moment of weakness—but a reminder that heartbreak doesn’t pause for cameras, campfires, or celebrity competitions. And in the depths of the Australian jungle, sometimes the bravest thing anyone can do is simply walk away when the pain hits too close to home.