EastEnders actress Shona McGarty has been given the all clear to return to the hit BBC soap, after a four month suspension.

McGarty, who plays troubled Whitney Dean in the soap, was suspended four weeks ago by new producer, Lorraine Newman, after repeatedly being late on set.

The actress, who is dating co-star Matt Lapinskas in real life, “apologised for her lack of professionalism” to the new executive producer, according to the Daily Mail newspaper.

At the time of her suspension, a BBC spokesperson confirmed the decision, telling Digital Spy: “Shona has been suspended for repeatedly being late.”

McGarty will return back to set just in time to wave off Lapinskas, who leaves the show next month after a his character, Anthony Moon has a big fall out with Derek Branning, played by Jamie Foreman.

In the soap, McGarty’s character is dating Lapinskas on-screen brother, Tyler Moon, played by Tony Discipline, who is dating co-star Jacqueline Jossa, who plays Lauren Branning in the hit soap.

Lapinskas and McGarty recently made headlines after being thrown out of an Asda supermarket for inappropriate behaviour in the dairy aisle!

Watch Shona and co-star Ricky Norton discussing their character in the This Morning clip below:

EastEnders can be seen Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings on BBC1/BBC1 HD.