EastEnders’ Shona McGarty enjoys a soak in the bath on Christmas break from soap role

EASTENDERS star Shona McGarty enjoyed a soak in the bath during her Christmas break.

The actress - best known for playing Whitney Dean in the BBC One soap - took to social media to share snaps from her much-deserved time out.

Shona, 31, was seen sitting in the bath and having her hair washed by her young nephew Teddy.

She filmed herself looking glamorous, with a light palette of make-up, as she told fans she "loved it".

The star politely let the youngster lather her with shampoo and conditioner, as well as exfoliator soap on her back.

Shona filmed away as Teddy got to work, while her other nephew Corey shouted happily in the background.

The actress told the pair they would "have a disco" after her relaxing bath was done.

She enjoyed some further pamper time with her nephews as she filmed them putting on her "face creams" with a roller.

Shona looks to be taking some time out from filming for EastEnders over the Christmas to New Year break.

The star appeared to be spending plenty of time with her parents, siblings and little nephews over Christmas.

It comes after Shona called time on her short romance with her EastEnders co-star Max Bowden.

She broke things off shortly after he became a dad for the first time with his ex-girlfriend.

A source said: “There has been a lot going on in Max’s life and things were just getting too complicated with Shona being involved.

“Max will always have a lot of love and respect for Shona but it’s just not the right time.

“Everyone is trying to make things as least awkward as possible on set – luckily they don’t have many scenes together.”

A friend close to the couple added: "Max and Shona have never spoken on it publicly but as their close circle would know, they were never in an official relationship.

"They remain close friends who decided not to pursue anything romantic a number of months ago."

Last month Max’s ex Roisin Buckle gave birth to a baby boy following their split in April.

Max and Shona went Instagram official in August of this year after The Sun revealed their secret romance and told how they had become “inseparable”.

It came as a friend of Max’s ex Roisin revealed she felt “humiliated and disrespected” when she learned of his closeness to his fellow cast member.

EastEnders airs weekdays on BBC One at 7pm