The actress was almost unrecognisable as she appeared the Henley Festival held in Oxfordshire
Edward Roberts
16:44, 11 Jul 2015
It's a really big difference(Image: BBC / Getty)
Shona McGarty has started her music career with a bang.
The EastEnders star, who plays Whitney Dean, made her singing debut as she appeared at the Henley Festival held in Oxfordshire on Friday.
Shona McGarty performs on Day 3 of The Henley Festival(Image: Getty)
She was even fortunate enough to find herself rubbing shoulders with a number of highly established artists.
This list included Laura Mvula and jazz vocalist Gregory Porter.
Her singing voice - much like her acting skills - was right on the money and led to an overwhelmingly positive reaction.
Shona McGarty performs on Day 3 of The Henley Festival(Image: Getty)
But it was arguably the actress' choice of clothing that left the lasting impression when all was said and done.
Shona looked almost princess-like as she slipped into a tulle gown complete with floral detail.
The black-haired beauty kept her hair tied back while donning a face full of striking make-up.
Shona McGarty performs with the Philharmonic Orchestra at the Henley Festival Regatta in London(Image: )
The show was directed by classical pianist Fabio D’Andrea, who had only great things to say about Shona beforehand.
He said: "Shona has an incredibly soulful voice, and has a real hidden talent. She’s totally mesmerising when she performs and I know an audience would be completely captivated by her.
"I love to take an artist and have them shown in a different light, and the fact that Shona is known for her acting rather than her singing will make her performance all the more exciting to watch.”
Shona McGarty as Whitney Dean in Eastenders(Image: BBC)
Shona sang at a special Radio 2 EastEnders-themed concert in February, along with cast members including Tameka Empson (Kim Fox), Declan Bennett (Charlie Cotton) and John Partridge (Christian Clarke).
The soap beauty, who has dated former co-star Matt Lapinskas, has previously written and recorded her own tracks.
She has played the step-daughter of Bianca Jackson in EastEnders since 2008.