Congratulations to Shona McGarty and David Bracken

Wedding bells are ringing for Shona McGarty and David Bracken! The couple is engaged after Bracken, one half of the Irish band Blessed, dropped to one knee and proposed to the EastEnders star, 32, in London’s Holland Park. But, the romantic moment was nearly interrupted by the police.

In a joint interview with OK!, Bracken, 35, shared that he saw police just moments before the proposal. He approached them, explaining, “I went over to the police, who said, ‘Sorry, we are just closing up the park.'” Bracken had a special request: “I said, ‘Would you mind giving me five minutes as I am about to propose to my partner?’ He looked at his watch and said, ‘Of course, and best of luck.'”

Bracken chose a waterfall in the Kyoto Garden area of the park for the proposal, a location meaningful to McGarty. “I love Japanese culture and the spirituality of it,” McGarty said, adding, “He brought a picnic which was really sweet. It was lovely, I was in my element.” To her surprise, McGarty didn’t suspect a proposal at all.

For the big moment, Bracken “put on our favorite song and had a dance with her before getting down on one knee” and popping the question. McGarty happily said yes!

This engagement is a significant milestone for the couple, who first connected when Bracken, unaware of McGarty’s EastEnders fame, messaged her on TikTok after watching one of her videos. He asked if she would like to duet on a song, unaware of her acting career.

“It was funny because David didn’t have a clue what I did for a job,” McGarty recalled. “I remember him asking me, ‘So what do you do? Do you gig or sing?’ I said, ‘Well not really, I’m not allowed at the moment.’ He was like, ‘What do you mean?’ He didn’t even know I was in EastEnders—he had never watched it!” she added. McGarty appreciated Bracken’s sincere interest in her as a person, not just a celebrity.

Their relationship deepened after a 90-minute 4 a.m. phone call, followed by daily conversations. Two months later, Bracken flew to the UK to be with McGarty. She knew right away that he was “the one… I’m 32 and we’ve both had relationships in the past, but this time it feels different. It’s a feeling I’ve never had before about a person.”

Now that they are engaged, Bracken and McGarty are eagerly planning their wedding. They are considering a Christmas wedding and will likely marry in Ireland, where both have family, within “the next year or two.” McGarty mentioned that most of the EastEnders cast will be invited, as they are “such a big part of mine and David’s journey.”