Whitney Dean (previously Carter) is the adoptive daughter of Bianca Jackson, the biological daughter of Nathan and Debra Dean and the sister of Ryan, Tiffany, Liam and Morgan. She is also the ex-wife of Lee Carter and was the fiancée of the deceased Kush Kazemi and the mother of Peach and Dolly. She is also the foster mother of Britney Wainwright.
History
Whitney's father Nathan Dean died in a road accident when his partner Bianca Jackson was heavily pregnant and Bianca took on the responsibility of raising Whitney. Bianca had adopted Whitney during her relationship with Nathan as Bianca was the only mother Whitney had ever known as her biological mother walked out of her life when she was a toddler and wanted nothing to do with Whitney. Despite Whitney not being her biological daughter, Bianca doesn't treat her any different then her other children and refers to herself as Whitney's mother.
Storylines
2008-2012: Arrival, the truth behind Tony and relationship with Todd
Born on 8th December 1992, Whitney first appears in EastEnders when she and her family; mother figure Bianca, half-sister Tiffany, and Bianca's sons Liam and Morgan are evicted by their landlord for failure to pay rent. They sleep that night in a bus shelter, and are taken into care the next day after Bianca is arrested for assaulting a police officer. The children return to Bianca a week later, moving into Pat Evans' home, although Whitney is initially angry with Bianca for letting them down.
Over the next few months, Bianca becomes the beneficiary of a mystery "guardian angel", who is revealed to be Whitney. Later on, Whitney tells Bianca she found a winning lottery ticket lost by Dawn Swann's family and cashed it, but didn't tell Bianca as she knew that she would spend it. Bianca lives up to Whitney's fears by constantly shopping with their windfall, but after arguing with Whitney, reluctantly agrees to deposit it. However, knowing Bianca won't bank it after hearing about the holiday she has booked, Whitney hides some of the money in a box to be used in emergencies only.
It is revealed that Bianca met her imprisoned boyfriend Tony King in 2004, when she was expecting her youngest child, Morgan. Whitney warmed up to him when he helped her remove a ribbon, which was stuck in her hair. From then on, Tony groomed Whitney and they started a sexual relationship behind Bianca's back. Tony went to prison in 2007 after assaulting a boy who apparently harassed Whitney and was released on 12 September 2008. Upon returning home, he makes it clear to Whitney that they will resume their sexual relationship. Whitney in turn reveals that she has kept some of the lottery winnings so she and Tony can run away together. Tony, however, harangued by Bianca about the prospect of marriage, gives her Whitney's money to use as a down-payment on a flat.
When Whitney and class-mate Peter Beale are cast in the lead roles of the school play Romeo and Juliet, Tony is jealous of them rehearsing in private and punches Peter. Whitney convinces Peter and his twin sister Lucy Beale not to report the attack to the police, but Tony blames her for the incident and ends their affair. Whitney is devastated when Tony accepts Bianca's marriage proposal, locking herself in her bedroom. Not knowing what to do, Bianca accepts Dr. Poppy Merritt's help and she refers Whitney to a psychiatrist. Bianca takes her away on holiday, attempting to mend their relationship. When they return on Halloween, Tony and Whitney share a passionate kiss, and Tony informs Whitney that their relationship is back on, however upon her kiss to Tony's cheek, he failed to remove the lipstick which angered Bianca and Tony blamed the lipstick on Ronnie. Which led to Bianca causing a scene, and after Ronnie got better of the verbals, Bianca attacked Ronnie from behind and went to dunk the blonde into a bucket of squash and apples, however after Bianca got a little cocky, her stun backfired very quickly and Ronnie reversed this and dunked her instead, which left her humiliated and more confused.
Whitney becomes jealous when Tony begins showing an interest in Lauren Branning. She is relieved as her sixteenth birthday approaches and buys tickets for her and Tony's trip abroad. Tony, however, has lost interest in Whitney, and hides her passport but it is found and returned to her. On the day she turns sixteen, Whitney confesses everything to Bianca. Horrified, Bianca calls the police, and Tony is arrested. Whitney initially refuses to discuss her and Tony's relationship with the police, believing that they were in love but Bianca makes her realise that Tony abused her and raped her for years. Tony is released on bail and returns to Pat's house, hoping to convince Whitney to lie to the police for him, making Whitney realise Bianca is right, and agrees to make a statement against him.
Whitney decides to contact her biological mother but discovers that she has the wrong address. Bianca claims not to have it but Janine Butcher steals it from Bianca's address book and gives it to Whitney. Whitney visits Debra and tries to discuss the past but Debra isn't interested and rejects her. She meets Todd Taylor and agrees to go on a date with him. It goes well until he asks about past relationships. She runs away and is found by Bianca's ex-husband, Ricky, being drunk. She tries to kiss him but he pushes her away, saying that Whitney is like a daughter to him.
For seven years of their life, Whitney and Tiffany thought they were sisters and Tiffany was brought up as Nathan Dean's daughter as Bianca was positive that he was her father. Bianca adopted Whitney from a young age and she looked at Bianca as a mother figure as her biological mother Debra walked out on her when she was a toddler, leaving Nathan to look after Whitney, then Nathan met Bianca and later Tiffany was conceived. However, Bianca had a one night stand with Liam's father, Ricky, but the pair never put two and two together until seven years later when Ricky and Bianca reunited and she told him that there's a chance he could be Tiffany's father and this was proved when a paternity test showed that Tiff was not in fact Nathan's daughter but she was Ricky's. When the truth was revealed, Whitney was devastated and it is discovered that Whitney has been shoplifting, prior to this. Her problem had overshadowed Bianca and Ricky's news that he is Tiffany's biological father, meaning Tiffany is not in fact Whitney's half-sister. However, they catch her in the act after returning the goods she stole and she agrees to get professional counselling.
Todd returns and Whitney eventually relaxes in his company. One of Tiffany's caterpillars disappears and crawls up Todd's shirt. Todd takes it off in a panic, and Ricky throws him out, thinking they were undressing for sex. Whitney apologises on Ricky's behalf and they agree to be friends. Whitney also agrees to another date. They talk in his car until he goes to get some chips but forgets his wallet. Whitney finds it and, looking inside, sees a condom. Whitney runs off, thinking Todd wanted to have sex with her. Todd is later scared off by a man who is interested in Whitney, and after he saves her and several other locals from a hostage situation, Whitney calls him a hero (he turns out to be her older half-brother). She fails to attend her GCSE exams and argues with Bianca. Debra turns up unexpectedly, claiming she is homeless, but reveals she is planning to move to Greece when she has enough money and says Whitney can come with her. Whitney accepts, but later realises that Debra is using her, and she is only there to hide from someone. After being tracked down, Debra leaves. On Bianca's birthday, Stacey Slater accuses Whitney of having an affair with Bianca's uncle, Max Branning, when he was really helping her bake a cake. Whitney is then upset when Bianca confronts her about this and immediately packs her things. Her mother, Debra, suddenly returns - banging on the front door, panicking. When Whitney opens it, she sees Debra scared with cuts and bruises on her face, saying that someone is after her. This person is the same man Whitney had called a hero, who tells Whitney he is her half brother, Ryan Malloy. He has stabbed someone and Debra is keeping the knife for him. Whitney hides the knife and later disposes of it in a canal. Whitney and Ryan later steal Max's car for a joyride and return it, not realising that she has left her earring in it. When Lauren discovers it, she knows it belongs to someone else and suspects Max is having another affair. Lauren tells her mother, Tanya Branning, but Whitney confesses the truth. She and Lauren watch movies at Janine's flat, and get drunk.
Whitney learns of Sam Mitchell's return, now engaged to Ricky, much to Bianca and Whitney's displeasure. Someone calls the police and Sam is arrested for perverting the course of justice. Whitney tells Ricky she called the police, and Sam's mother Peggy Mitchell is furious to hear about this, and confronts Whitney, who runs off in tears. However, Ricky discovers that it was actually Bianca who called the police.
In November 2009, Whitney decided to design her own t-shirts as suggested by her family and after she obtained start-up finance from her adoptive great-uncle Jack Branning, an order for 500 units came in. It turned out that it was Ricky who had meant to order five but messed up. She was hurt when she discovered the news but eventually sold the t-shirts with the help of Bianca, Ricky, Ryan, Janine and Sam.
Whitney begins to feel vulnerable when Tony's trial is about to commence. She asks Bianca about the trial and asks her if she will see Tony. Thinking that Whitney is worried, Bianca states that they will see Tony, but he will be in a separate and different room location. Whitney is disappointed to hear this and she desperately tries to contact him so she decides to secretly write him a letter. She also tries to visit him in prison but is refused. She is upset and gets angry when Ryan does not understand how she feels. Ryan tells Ricky and Bianca that Whitney was upset and does not think she is coping. He tells them that Whitney is trying to visit Tony. Bianca confronts Whitney who says Tony needs her. She storms out and a man named Mark gives Whitney a mobile phone from Tony. She ignores a call from Tony and he leaves her a voicemail begging her to call him back, saying he loves her. Bianca says she will never let Tony near Whitney again. Whitney's birthday is approaching and Tiffany hides a birthday card in Whitney's drawer where the phone is hidden. She accidentally spills tea on it, breaking it. Whitney shouts at her and Ricky tells her not to, saying that she can use another phone. She tells Ricky to leave her and Tiffany alone as they are nothing to do with him, but Ricky reveals that Tiffany is his daughter. Whitney runs off and gets drunk. Ryan finds her and promises not to tell anyone where she is, telling Bianca they are not in Walford. Whitney says she wants her mum and Ryan goes to find her but goes to Tony's trial instead. She agrees to come home for Tiffany but is upset that Tiffany does not yet know her true paternity.
At the trial, Whitney's witness statement is played in court and when she says she was 12 years old when their relationship started, Ryan leaves in disgust. He storms back into the court calling Tony a monster. The judge stops the tape and Whitney, who is watching from another room, asks what is going on. After Ryan talks to Whitney, calling him sick and saying he will get out of prison when he is an old man, she runs into the court shouting that he is not an animal and they love each other. She says she will refuse to testify saying her witness statement was lies and she was forced to say it. Whitney's barrister, Vivien Easley QC gives Bianca five minutes to talk Whitney round. Tony's barrister, Mrs Taylor, cross examines Whitney, trying to imply that she pursued him for several years, saying she refused to take 'no' for an answer and lied about the accusations. Tony shouts out that he is innocent but Whitney says she trusted him and he abused her. After leaving the courtroom, Whitney hands over the mobile phone to her barrister with Tony's messages on it. Back at home Whitney says she is still Tiffany's sister and they hug.
Todd goes to see Whitney to give her a Christmas card. He says he hopes they are still friends and she lets him in. He cooks mince pies and says he wants to be a mechanic. She realises that Ricky has put him up to spending time with her to take her mind off the trial. Whitney and her family later go to the court to hear the verdict, though Whitney is not allowed inside. Bianca tells her Tony has been sentenced to 13 years' custody. Whitney starts to ignore Todd's calls and is upset when Ricky invites him to his and Bianca's engagement party. However, at the party, she apologises to Todd and they kiss. Lucy invites Todd to a party and he brings Whitney. Lucy makes advances on Todd which upsets Whitney, so she takes him to a bedroom where she finds a condom that fell out of Todd's pocket. They kiss and decide to wait until the time is right before having sex.
Bianca's half-brother Billie Jackson arrives back in Walford for Bianca's wedding and Whitney enjoys getting to know him. She shows interest in his moped so he takes her for a ride on it. Todd sees them, and Whitney later breaks up with him. Whitney and Billie nearly kiss but they are interrupted by Bianca. Whitney is upset when Billie's mother Carol Jackson arrives to take Billie home, but the next day he attends the wedding after Carol and Bianca reconcile, deciding to stay following the death of Billie and Bianca's cousin Bradley Branning. Billie takes Whitney to his flat in Balham to collect his things and they bump into a girl named Kylie, and he introduces Whitney to her as a member of his family. The next day Whitney thinks Billie is ashamed of her, and he insists that Kylie is just a friend. Later, he graffitis a wall with Whitney's name as a gesture. They kiss and she tells him she wants to go all the way. The next day Bianca catches them in bed and demands they get dressed, but after they explain they are not doing anything wrong, she tells them to be careful. When Whitney realises Billie lied about his college commitments, they argue and Billie rides off on his moped. Whitney goes to his council estate to find him but meets Kylie. They argue and Whitney calls her a skank, so Kylie chases after her and she is cornered by her gang and attacked. They tell her they want their gun back from Billie, and when Whitney goes back to Walford she tells him to get rid of it. They dispose of it in a bin but later on after Billie goes back to Balham, he still has the gun in his bag.
Kylie and her friend Connor track Billie and Whitney down in Walford, where Kylie tells Whitney she will look after her. At a grime night at The Queen Victoria, Kylie and Connor get Whitney drunk, which gets them thrown out. Billie is angry with his friends for getting her drunk. Although upset with Whitney's behaviour, Bianca says she is acting just how she did at the same age. Whitney asks Billie to choose between her and his former gang, and when Billie chooses her, gang member Kylie makes threats to Whitney, and then takes revenge by attempting to shoot Billie, but hits Jack instead. Jack is hospitalised with major injuries, and Whitney struggles to help Billie deal with his guilt and subsequent anger and rejection from the Branning and Jackson families. She is further deeply upset when Billie decides to join the army for his own punishment of the recent events and in an attempt to make his uncle Jack proud. When Billie is accepted into the army, Whitney decides to make the most of their two weeks together, so books a holiday to Alton Towers, however, Billie is unimpressed. She enlists Leon Small's help in printing and selling her t-shirts and he kisses her, though she does not reciprocate. Billie finds out about the kiss but Whitney insists she did not cheat on him. She tries to talk to him but he refuses to accept her apology.
Whitney takes a trip to Hampshire with Lucy, Peter, Leon, Zsa Zsa Carter and Fatboy where she fears the house they are staying in is haunted after Fatboy tells a story and she finds an old doll. The next day Billie turns up and apologises, and they reunite. When celebrating Billie's birthday, Whitney kisses Peter and spends the night with him. She is then devastated to find out that Billie had died in his sleep. She finds a text on her phone from Billie claiming to still love her, thus adding to her guilt. She begins a relationship with Peter when he supports her through her grief. However, she soon falls for Billie's friend, Connor Stanley, and begins selling stolen jewellery for him. It is soon discovered that at this time Connor is sleeping with Billie's mother, Carol Jackson, and Whitney is left feeling betrayed by the family and is left sure she is just a burden. She moves in with Janine Butcher and gets a work trail at the Queen Vic, however, she is fired for stealing. Whitney soon attracts the attention of Rob Grayson. Rob gains Whitney's trust and when she falls out with her family she turns to him for help. She runs away to stay with Rob, throwing her phone away as she goes. Lauren and Janine try to find Whitney, however, when they do she refuses to go with them, claiming she and Rob are in love. But things are not all they seem at it unfolds that Rob is forcing Whitney to have sex with people to pay off his debts. When Whitney finally comes to terms with what is happening, after meeting another girl named Chloe, she is not allowed to leave and locked in a room. Whitney escapes by jumping out a window and flagging down a car for help.
The next month, she messages Lauren and meets her outside the police station, looking rough, as she has been arrested for shoplifting. Whitney opts to live with Dot Branning instead of her close family, but Dot convinces her to move back to Ricky's. When Ryan returns from a holiday, he learns of Whitney's ordeal and urges her to go to the police and get tested for sexually transmitted infections. She claims to be unready to go to the police but agrees to the test, which proves positive for chlamydia. When Whitney starts a relationship with a man named Lee, it is revealed that he is a friend of Rob's, and when Whitney agrees to meet Lee by text, Rob takes control of Lee's mobile phone. She allows Rob to take her home but then tells him to wait outside while she escapes through the back door and gets a lift to with friends. She leaves him a voicemail message not knowing that he's following her. He finds her in her hotel room and professes his love for her, but when Fatboy comes in, Rob attacks him, so Whitney tells him to leave. Fatboy calls Ryan, who comes to Southend looking for Rob. When he finds him, they fight and fall over the edge of the pier. The next day, a body is recovered from the sea, and is revealed to be Rob who has died. Whitney thinks Ryan may also be dead until he appears. She tells him she has told the police everything about Rob, including Ryan's fight with him, and Ryan tells Whitney he has to leave. They say an emotional farewell.
2012-2016: Relationship with Tyler, false pregnancy scare, Bianca's departure and relationship with Lee
Whitney takes an interest in Tyler Moon but refuses to date him. Whitney applies for a new work experience at the local nursery which she later gets. When Michael Moon tells his brother, Tyler, about Whitney's recent ordeal he rejects her but later gives her his special Moon pendant to make up for it. Whitney agrees to go on a date with Tyler and they agree to have sex but Whitney is unsure as she remembers her past and runs out, telling Tyler she never wants to see him again. He later tells Fatboy she needs a shrink which Whitney overhears. She runs out and kisses Fatboy and starts a relationship with him. He publicly declares his love for her, but when he is unable to give her a driving lesson, Lucy suggests that Tyler does it, because she knows that Tyler likes Whitney. Whitney starts to feel smothered by Fatboy's affections. Lucy teases Tyler by telling him that Fatboy plans to publicly propose to Whitney, so Tyler tells Whitney he likes her but Whitney says it is too late. Tyler then surprises Whitney by kissing her. Whitney, feeling guilty, refuses to go on holiday with Fatboy, and tells him to kiss her. He does, but she says it is like kissing her best friend. She then admits she wants Tyler, leaving Fatboy heartbroken. Whitney then goes to see Tyler but finds him kissing Lucy. She then tells Tyler to leave her alone. However, Tyler later tells Whitney that he cannot, as he loves her. Whitney admits to feeling the same way, and they begin a relationship.
Whitney believes she is pregnant, and when she tells Tyler, he seems reluctant to take on a child. However he comes round to the idea, but Whitney discovers she is not pregnant after all. The rest of Whitney's family move to Suffolk to be near Bianca, who has been sent to prison in Suffolk. However, Whitney stays and looks after the house, along with Bianca's uncle Derek Branning. Soon after, Tyler moves in. Whitney is angry when Joey Branning kisses her. Several months later, after Bianca and the rest of the family move back, Whitney and Tyler plan to get their own home. Whitney tells Tyler about the kiss with Joey, so he breaks up with her. However, he regrets it and proposes to Whitney; she accepts, Bianca disapproves of the engagement. When Lauren kisses Tyler to make her ex-boyfriend Joey jealous, Whitney ends her friendship with Lauren. After several weeks Lauren and Whitney make up. She receives a letter from a stranger, the letter is from Tony asking Whitney to come and see him in prison. Whitney then goes to the prison to visit Tony but is told that he has committed suicide. Trying to come to terms from Tony's death, she goes out for lunch with Tyler at Scarlett's, but they later argue which leads to Whitney ending their engagement and storming out. She then goes for a drink and Joey tries to comfort her which leads them to start flirting with one another. They then share a kiss and go back to Joey's house to have sex. She tells Tyler, and they both realise that they will not work out, and Tyler leaves Walford.
Whitney gets a job as a teaching assistant at Walford Primary School. During one breaktime, she warns Denny Rickman not to run in the playground. He ignores her and falls over, grazing his arm. Whitney does not react in the professional manner she is supposed to, causing Denny's injury to be ignored. When Sharon questions Denny about his injury he says Whitney assaulted him. Sharon complains and Whitney is suspended, but appeals for her job and is allowed to keep it. Whitney later sets her sights on newcomer Johnny Carter, unaware that he is gay. Johnny's parents, Mick and Linda Carter, hope that Johnny and Whitney will become an item, but his sister Nancy reveals to them that he is gay. A few weeks later, Johnny comes out to Whitney, which hurts her as she feels that Johnny has been using her. They later become good friends and Whitney forgives Johnny.
When Johnny's elder brother Lee returns from serving in Afghanistan, Whitney takes an instant liking to him and they share a kiss. She discovers that Lee had sex with Lucy, which upsets her greatly and she spams Lucy's Facebook page with horrible comments. The next day, Lucy is found dead. At her funeral, Tamwar Masood discovers a condolences card with 'Rot in Hell' written on it, and realises the handwriting matches Whitney's. When he confronts her, she tells him that Lucy was sending her abusive texts about her looks, and that she completely despised her. Feeling sorry for Whitney, Tamwar rips up the card, but it is later recovered by his suspicious sister, Shabnam Masood.
Upon Lee's return from the army, Whitney gives the relationship another chance. She struggles with the prospect of making their romance sexual, but eventually agrees to when he talks about his feelings for her. Ryan's young daughter Lily comes to live in Walford when her mother Stacey Slater is sent to prison. Whitney begins to babysit her and is shocked when Ryan contacts her, under the alias of 'Simon Parker' after placing a photo of herself and Lily online. After speaking with Johnny and Lee, she decides to reply. Stacey is granted her appeal and freed but Whitney worries it will ruin her relationship with Lily. Whitney tells Lily about Ryan saying she could possibly meet him. When Stacey finds out, she argues with Whitney and says she will not be seeing Lily again. Whitney then messages Ryan saying she needs to see him urgently. Whitney then arranges to meet Ryan at the park. Stacey and Lily visit the park whilst Whitney is waiting for Ryan. Stacey apologises to Whitney and she accepts. Whitney thinks Ryan has stood her up, so leaves with Stacey and Lily. Ryan turns up late and hides on seeing Stacey, and remains unseen as a result.
Bianca tells Whitney she is moving to Milton Keynes, and wants her to move with her and the children. Although originally agreeing, Lee persuades her to stay and she moves into the pub with the Carters. Lee develops depression, and when Whitney finds out, she struggles to support him at his lowest points. At Mick's stag party before his wedding to Linda, Lee knocks himself unconscious and is carried upstairs by Mick and Whitney. Whitney confesses to Mick that she intends to break up with Lee after the wedding, unable to handle his depression. However, she is unaware that Lee has overheard her via the baby monitor. On the day of the wedding, Lee goes missing and Whitney and Mick find him drunk at the park. Lee tells Whitney that he blames himself for her wanting to break up with him, and she promises him that they will work things out. Whitney later thanks Mick for helping her with Lee, but accidentally kisses him on the lips in the process. While Mick and Linda are on their honeymoon, Whitney invites Ryan back to Walford to see Lily, but while at the pub, he steals the cash from the safe, causing Whitney and Nancy to fight, just as Mick and Linda walk in on them. The next morning, Whitney contacts Ryan and he asks to meet in the park. Mick accompanies Whitney and assures a scared Ryan that he can trust him. It then emerges that Whitney told Mick that Ryan killed Rob, so Whitney and Mick convince Ryan to return the money and hand himself to the police, and Whitney will back him up in the hope of him being charged with manslaughter instead of murder, to which Ryan agrees. Whitney shares an emotional goodbye with Ryan as he heads into the police station. On the ride home from the police station, an upset Whitney tells Mick that she has feelings for him and kisses him again. Mick tells Linda what happened, so Linda tells her to stay away from Mick and not to give up on Lee. Whitney eventually tells Lee about the kiss causing Lee to have a one night stand with Lauren's younger sister Abi Branning. Whitney gives her relationship with Lee another go and is shocked when he proposes to her.
Lauren helps Abi gets her job back at The Queen Victoria and they celebrate with Whitney. Whitney then tells Abi that she should thank Lauren for getting her the job back and Abi isn't very happy that her sister had to ask to get her a job. Abi then becomes really drunk and Lauren catches her flirting with Whitney's boyfriend so immediately grabs Abi. Lauren then tries to talk to Abi but she is clearly to drunk so Lauren grabs the wine glass out of Abi's hand and tells Whitney that she is taking Abi home. When Abi tells Lauren she can't tell her what to do, Lauren tells Abi to go and throw herself at Lee and that will give her another reason to mess up her job before its even started. Abi doesn't say anything and Lauren tells her to move because there going home. When they arrive home, Abi then falls in the door and she smashes their grandma Dot Branning's house phone. Lauren then helps Abi take her clothes off and Abi trips on the coffee table. Lauren then tells her that Lee loves Whitney and would never go anywhere near her and Abi drunkenly confesses to Lauren that she slept with Lee by saying "Well he already did, me and Lee had sex, so maybe they aint a perfect coupe after all". Lauren urges Abi to confess to Whitney as Abi gave Lee chlamydia which he gave to Whitney as Abi's boyfriend Ben Mitchell cheated on her numerous times and he gave it to Abi. But Abi doesn't want to tell Whitney and asked tells Lauren that she's her big sister and who she would choose over her or Whitney. Lauren chooses Abi. Babe Smith emotionally blackmails Abi, forcing her to resign. That same day, Lauren helps Whitney do a pregnancy test, which is positive.
2016-2019: Miscarriage, marrying Lee, relationship and break-up with Callum, meeting Leo
In mid-July 2016. Whitney found out she was expecting Lee's baby. She attempted to tell him by putting a bun in the oven however it was overcooked and was found by a confused Mick. Linda clocked in on what was going on and went to see Whitney. At first Lee didn't want the baby and prepared to tell Whitney that he wanted her to get an abortion. After having a heart-to-heart with Mick, Lee had second thoughts. A few days later both Whitney and Lee were told they had Chlamydia (due to Lee's drunken one night stand with Abi) A distraught Whitney blamed it on her past with Rob. In early August Abi admitted to sleeping with Lee. Whitney ended her relationship with Lee however she decided to give him another chance as she wanted a happy ever after. On the 16th September 2016, The couple attended their first scan and bumped into Kim and Denise. The couple were told the baby will be due in March 2017. Lee brought her a pregnancy kick bracelet. However, in October 2016 a heartbroken Lee and Whitney found out the baby had died. Whitney accepted the fact that the baby has gone, however, after her operation, she realises what's happened and breaks down in Lee's arms. Wanting answers, Whitney confides in Lauren and thinks the chlamydia caused it. Whitney tells Lee it's nothing to worry about however Abi tells Lee she looked it up online and there was a possibility it did. Lee confronts Whitney and the pair agree to never keep secrets from each other. Before the wedding Whitney tells Lee she wants another baby. In December Whitney thinks she is pregnant but is left disappointed when she isn't.
In November 2017, her fiance, Woody Woodward, is offered a job at a bar in Spain and takes it. He worries about breaking the news to Whitney, and initially they argue, however she eventually agrees. On the day they are due to leave, there is a bump in their relationship, however Mick and Linda Carter's marriage counselling appears to resolve their differences. He leaves, telling Whitney to meet him at Walford East Station at half three. When she arrives, she cannot find him, so leaves him a voicemail, but soon notices a note on the window of the station. It says that Whitney would be better in Walford and without him, and that he has left without her. Whitney is devastated.
In early 2018, Tiffany arranges a date between Whitney and Callum "Halfway" Highway, but Whitney leaves the date after being put off by his behaviour. On Valentine's Day, Whitney rejects Halfway's surprise but she is touched when Halfway talks about how his grandfather brought him up to treat women with respect. Whitney apologises for her attitude, but Halfway has to leave for the Army. They then continue to stay in touch via video chat. Halfway returns from the Army and they resume their relationship, eventually trying for a baby. Whitney and Halfway become engaged and during their respective stag and hen parties, Halfway confesses to having kissed Ben Mitchell. Whitney threatens Ben, but agrees to continue with the wedding after a discussion with Halfway. Bianca returns on the wedding day and convinces Whitney not to marry Halfway. Whitney insists that she loves Halfway, but jilts him at the altar and encourages him not to live a lie with his sexuality. During a siege at the Queen Vic, Ben is shot and Whitney begins to realize that Halfway has feelings for Ben. This causes Whitney to start drinking and Bianca suggests that Whitney go on her honeymoon alone to clear her mind off Halfway.
Whitney returns from her solo honeymoon and soon announces that she has met another man. The man is revealed to be Leo, unbeknownst to Whitney, the son of Tony. Whitney and Leo continue their fling, but Whitney struggles to move on from Halfway and attempts to kiss him, but is rejected. Whitney decides to put her fling with Leo on pause. She and Leo later rekindle their relationship despite Jack warning her he thinks Leo is suspicious and Tiffany telling her she has met him at Whitney and Callum's wedding. In December 2019 Leo takes Whitney to a hotel for her birthday and Tiffany finally calls and asks Bianca who Leo really is. Once she finds out he's Tony's son she calls Whitney to tell her and she and Callum rush to the hotel to find her. Whitney tries to leave the hotel room after talking to Tiffany but Leo doesn't let her, yelling at her as she hides in the bathroom that he wants her to admit the truth and say that she and Bianca had made up the story that Tony had abused Whitney. She agrees to tell him the truth and goes on to explain what really happened - that Tony did abuse her as a child and that she has finally accepted that it wasn't her fault that she was abused. Leo angrily attacks Whitney but she gains the upper hand and he leaves the hotel room upset at finding out the truth about his father. Callum and Tiffany arrive at the hotel but Whitney says she is fine and took care of it. Leo later starts stalking Whitney, telling her he believes her about Tony and that he loves her because of their both having a connection to Tony. One day Whitney agrees to speak with him at E20 and he tells her he wants to continue their relationship. Whitney tells him that will never happen. He then opens a stall at the market to be close to Whitney and even goes on a date with Dotty imagining that she is Whitney. Whitney's hair starts falling out because of the stress.
2020-2022: Leo's murder and trial, relationship with Kush, Kush's death and discovering Gray's true colours
Kat offers to trade jobs with Whitney for a week so she can have a break from seeing Leo at the market. Leo jeopardises the Slater's cleaning company as payback resulting in a fight with Leo in the market. Jack advises Whitney to start writing down everything Leo does as evidence which she does in a notebook. Leo is then arrested at the Vic thanks to Jack and Whitney, Martin, Lush and Kat go to celebrate. While they're having fun Whitney steps out onto the balcony and sees Leo. She rushes to call the police but Leo arrives on the balcony and pushes her, causing her to drop her phone. Kush arrives and seeing Leo has got hold of Whitney, saves her and accidentally pushes Leo which causes him to fall off the balcony. Leo is fine and Kush gets arrested so Whitney feels guilty and decides to visit Leo at the hospital and pretend to want to get back together with him so that he’ll drop the charges against Kush, especially because her phone is broken which had all the evidence of the constant calls and texts from Leo. Leo agrees to not press charges but when she steps out of the hospital room he finds her evidence notebook in her bag which he takes. A few days later Whitney agrees to meet with Leo and he takes her to Tony's grave where he pushes her into the ground forcing her to apologize to Tony. After she does as he says, Leo says it's not good enough and takes her to the Vic where he forces her to announce to everyone that she has been lying about Tony abusing her and that she has made it up as a teen for attention. Everyone stands up for Whitney, knowing she's just being forced to tell them that, and Leo leaves. Whitney thinks he's gone but unbeknownst to her he hides in the attic of Dot’s house where Whitney is now living and is spying on her through a hole in the ceiling of her room. When she doesn't go to Kush's hearing Kat is upset with her and Kush visits Whitney where she apologizes to him for not being there for him, explaining she is still recovering from the graveyard ordeal. She also tells Kush about a letter she still has written to her from Tony which Leo overhears. Whitney goes to Kat's house to apologize for not being there to support Kush and they make up, but when they go back to Dot's house they discover the place has been ransacked as Leo was searching for Tony's letter. The next day Kat and Ruby suggest Whitney goes to the Carter's Boat Party to get her mind off things and she agrees. When she's getting ready Leo appears in her room with a knife, threatening her and telling her that the letter from Tony was written soon before he committed suicide and that he states that he always loved Whitney, which Leo thinks proves that Whitney was lying since Tony didn't admit to abusing her or apologize, only writing that he always loved her. Whitney tries to escape by first throwing a jewellery box at him but she realizes all the doors in the house are locked and she can't get out. She pushes him in the kitchen and he is seemingly knocked out before jumping up again and assaulting Whitney. She grabs the knife in defence and he accidentally falls on it. In a panic after realizing he's dead, Whitney calls Mick for help and he tells her they are going to the boat party for an alibi. Mick washes the knife and Whitney puts it in her purse. At the boat party, Whitney considers throwing the knife overboard but Jack arrives to talk to her. Mick later tells her he will help her and take the blame for Leo's murder. Meanwhile, Sonia arrives home and sees Leo's body in the kitchen. When police arrive to tell Sonia about some bad drugs that Bex might be taking she doesn't tell them about the body and they leave. At the boat party, Linda accuses Mick and Whitney of having an affair since she saw them leaving Dot's house together. After the boat crashes and everyone is back on the docks in the aftermath of the accident, Whitney decides to confess to murdering Leo and tells the police she killed someone, showing them the knife in her bag as Jack watches on. She is later brought to the police station.
Gray offers to represent Whitney and she is questioned by police who are doubtful as to why she would have gone to the boat party if she had killed Leo in self-defence. Whitney struggles in prison in the days leading up to her bail hearing, during which she is denied bail meaning she will stay in prison until her trial, despite Kush pleading guilty on Gray’s advice that it will help Whitney's case. In her cell she has a meltdown, throwing her tray of food and punching the wall until her hands bleed as she cries over her new reality of being in prison. Eventually, she is released after Gray finds evidence that Leo was stalking her, and tells Chantelle that her husband is a hero, being unaware of his domestic abuse. Later on, Whitney is harassed by Leo's mother Michaela Turnbull, who threatens Whitney with a knife. Some time later, Whitney finds herself locked in an unknown apartment and bangs on a locked door for help, Michaela has taken Whitney hostage and demands for Whitney to admit that she murdered Leo, Michaela plays a voicemail from Leo and accuses Whitney of planning to kill Leo from the beginning, Whitney firmly denies this and tensions rise. Max suddenly calls Whitney and Michaela notices this - Whitney speedily snatches the phone from Michaela and shouts down the phone to Max that she needs help but the phone is smashed by Michaela. As time passes, Michaela persistently questions Whitney and they both get annoyed quite quickly, however Michaela apologies and admits that she understands Whitney's perspective then reveals what she knew about Tony and how Whitney wasn't his first or only victim, Whitney then furiously blames Michaela for allowing Tony to rape her. It is later revealed by Michaela that Tony put his hand up Leo's 13-year-old babysitter's skirt, Whitney questions her for not doing anything, but Michaela implies that it wasn't her fault. Shortly after, Whitney grabs her things and leaves whilst stating that she isn't scared of Michaela. The pair have another heartful conversation but are quickly interrupted by Gray, who arrives to rescue Whitney. Gray then insists that they should press charges against Michaela for kidnapping Whitney but she disagrees and doesn’t want Michaela to suffer due to her already grieving.
After the series of drastic events begin to settle, June 2020 arrives and Whitney grows closer to Gray as he supports her, helps her cope with her anxiety and fight her case. Gray reassures her with some kind words and she kisses him, however he quickly leans away while stating that he cares for Whitney but not in a romantic way and there will never be romance between them. As Whitney's trial quickly arrives, Chantelle's funeral coincides with the trial. Tiffany feels bad for not attending the trial but Whitney insists that Tiffany should support Keegan at the funeral - Gray also stresses whilst dealing with the pressure of the trial and the funeral, he steps outside but then suddenly abandons the funeral and decides to go to Whitney's trial.
Whitney arrives at court and Sonia also joins to support. As the trial begins, Gray persistently interrupts and annoys everyone, one of the solicitors questions that if Leo's murder was accidental, then why didn't Whitney call the emergency services? Gray once again interrupts and rudely shouts at the solicitor resulting in a removal from the trial, Gray also implies that "Leo King didn't deserve to live!" The trial then continues the next day. Whitney calls the solicitor out for trying to make her look bad and she goes into detail about her past relationships to satisfy him, Mick arrives shortly after this and contributes to court. The solicitor questions him although Mick starts to get anxious but the questions do not stop, Mick suddenly collapses and has a panic attack in court. Whitney then arranges to meet with Mr Osborne and persists to say that she will go down for the murder and that she is going to plead guilty - she relays this to Gray and his advice is to just tell the truth. A few days later, Whitney is thankfully announced not guilty and is granted to leave the courthouse. Sonia and Whitney are both fulfilled with happiness and shock.
Being free from the trauma of Leo and the trial, Whitney begins to grow affection for Kush. In February 2021, they spend a night together which eventually leads to a kiss and them sleeping together. After some discussion, they decide to go public with their relationship and reveal it to Kat and Gray specifically, who both seem uneased by the news. As the relationship progresses and expands, the couple have a meal in Gray's house to which Gray returns and consequently lashes out at them both and insults Whitney of throwing herself at any man she can get - but before Gray can continue, he is quickly shut down and harshly threatened by Kush. A few days after this, Whitney and Kush have another romantic evening together and worry about Kush's prison sentence affecting their relationship. Moments later, Whitney proposes to Kush, he happily says yes and they share a hug - soon after the proposal, Kush begins to make secret wedding plans however Whitney abruptly calls off the wedding due to Kush intentionally getting his sentence extended and not knowing him very well, Kush attempts to propose once again but is rejected and he then runs off from the scene.
On the day of Kush's trial, he gives Whitney an engagement ring to prove that when he's back from prison, he'll be going straight to Whitney. After the eventful trial, Kush asks Whitney to run away with him to evade the police and the Mitchell's. They organise to go to Dubai and plead with Martin to let Arthur come with them, Kush and Whitney promise to take care of him and Martin accepts what they said. Martin and Arthur say goodbye to one another then the 3 leave for Dubai. They arrive at the train station and Whitney and Arthur go off and do something whilst waiting – Gray follows them and angrily confronts Kush. Gray disturbingly says that Whitney belongs to him, his children and his life. A fight breaks out between the two of them resulting in Kush's unfortunate death. The news spreads to Whitney the next day and she is devastated - Gray visits her but Whitney argues with him and blames him for killing Kush and orders him to immediately leave. Whitney gets upset repeatedly and struggles to cope, she also reminisces on some good memories of Kush with Martin but then begins to blame herself for causing his death - shortly after, Whitney receives a card of sympathy from Ben but angrily rips it up and then plots to murder him, she desperately searches her house for a weapon and finds a knife. Some time later, Whitney angrily drives a car at full speed in Ben's direction but accidentally runs Kat over. After the dust settles, Whitney visits Kat in hospital and tells her that she believed the Mitchell's killed Kush but Kat implies that she still had some feelings for Kush and Phil knew that, meaning he wouldn't kill Kush as it’d affect Kat. As the conversation continues, Whitney breaks down and begins to cry - still struggling with the grief of Kush's death.
Whitney slowly copes with the death of Kush and her and Gray grow closer in the following months, the pair show affection for one another however they initially decide to take things slow. In October 2021, things get heated between them and Gray almost stabs Whitney whilst holding a knife but Whitney bounces back angrily saying that she isn't scared of him. Earlier that day the two had shared a kiss after having a chat about Gray's parents - neither of them rejected each other and continued kissing but were quickly disrupted by Gray's children. Shortly after, Whitney makes a phone call, discovering that Gray is no longer working as a lawyer, she confronts him over this on the phone but he makes up a false story. Later on in person, she confronts him once again and he says he was let go because 'Laura had it in for him' Whitney attempts to warn Chelsea but Gray stops her and reveals more lies to her. A few days later, Gray threatens Whitney and states that "Not being friends is one thing. Being enemies, that's something else."
Whitney stops being around Gray and continues her life as normal on her own, however Whitney soon begins to put the pieces together that Gray is an abuser. Laura Awoyinka chats to Whitney and reveals that Gray destroys women, exploits them and has the darkest soul amongst 16 murderers Laura had met, she also firmly warns Whitney to get Chelsea away from Gray before he destroys her too. After discovering this, Whitney persistently questions Kheerat Panesar on what he knew about Chantelle's home life but Kheerat dismisses her accusations and doesn't want to work with her. As Christmas almost approaches, Whitney gets an alarming phone call from Chelsea and quickly rushes other thinking she is in danger due to Gray but in realism, she just had issues with her wedding dress. Later that day, Whitney continues gathering evidence for her suspicions and manages to get a password which allows her to log into a website which Chantelle had been posting forums on revealing the abuse that Gray had been putting her through. Chantelle wrote "He came back and punched me in the stomach." Which instantly proved everything Whitney needed to know. On Christmas Eve, Kheerat speaks to Whitney once again and admits how much he loved Chantelle in a romantic way whilst also attempting to help her escape from Gray, but disappointingly says he has no evidence which could get Gray sent down, although Whitney does and shows Kheerat all of Chantelle's forums - Kheerat breaks down as a result of this and they both infer that Gray was the one who killed Chantelle. Moments later, Kheerat unfortunately reveals that the police wouldn't be able to do anything with that evidence as it proves that Gray is an abuser, not a murderer. The two finally team up to take Gray down but Whitney vows to stop the wedding and save Chelsea.
Christmas Day, 25th December 2021 arrives and Whitney desperately tells Chelsea that she cannot marry Gray and tries to stop the wedding by revealing the forum but Chelsea doesn't believe her. With all hope lost, Whitney resorts to desperate measures and tries to seduce Gray to falsely make him believe that he loves Whitney and not Chelsea, hence the wedding getting called off but Gray fiercely shouts at her and doesn't allow her to do what she was trying to. Chelsea and Gray get married and Whitney shows up at the Vic whilst the married couples arrive, Denise confronts Whitney for ruining the Whitney but Chelsea takes the lead and accuses Whitney of being a disgusting liar then angrily shouts at her that she needs help and demands her to immediately leave. Arriving back home, Whitney makes a risky choice to send all of Chantelle's forums to Chelsea and she quickly sees them and fears that everything she just read about Chantelle would happen to her. Whilst distraught, Chelsea quickly runs to the toilet and reads more messages whilst slowly breaking down. Whitney once again meets with Kheerat in the streets and begins to fear that she made a mistake because Chelsea didn't believe her however Chelsea quickly runs outside to them saying that she does believe Whitney and she needs help to escape because she married a murderer.
Whitney comforts a distraught Chelsea the following day and then ensures that Chelsea leaves, soon after Whitney is threatened by Gray for her interference at the wedding, saying that if she does anything like that again then she'll regret it. Based off of Chantelle's forums, Chelsea makes a drastic escape from Gray but is quickly caught - her waters suddenly break and she later gives birth to a boy, Jordan Atkins. Whitney and Kheerat have a chat the next day about helping Chelsea to get away for good, especially with the birth of Jordan, however Kheerat rules out that the only option is to sit back and wait. Some time later, Whitney speaks to Denise regarding Gray and Chelsea which doesn't get very far.
After some time has passed, Whitney and Chelsea meet up and discuss a plan but Gray walks in and Chelsea puts on an act by throwing a drink at Whitney and harshly threatening her. Kheerat makes a new plan about fleeing the country but Chelsea struggles to understand the logic behind it. After this doesn't go ahead, Chelsea then decides to get some antidepressants to help her cope with all the recent events, Whitney confronts her but Chelsea's wording hints that she is beginning to be roped into to Gray's manipulation. Whitney realises what's happening and urgently instructs Chelsea to leave now but Chelsea fiercely snaps back at her and falsely states that all of the evidence is abrupt and irrelevant, Whitney tells Chelsea that Gray has clearly gotten inside of her head although Chelsea refuses to believe anything Whitney says. With all hope lost, Whitney goes to the police and reports Gray as a murderer, after some investigation, DI Peter Arthur rudely assumes that Whitney is obsessed with Gray and wants to steal with Gray and she needs to stop messing around or she'll be the one in trouble. Whitney panics as she has no help from anyone - to make things worse, Gray confronts Whitney about someone trolling him (later revealed to be Kheerat) and he believes it was her however she reveals it wasn’t her and Gray abruptly disappears. Eventually, Gray starts to catch onto Whitney and Kheerat's schemes and how they are planning to take him down, he confirms his suspicions and invites Kheerat over for a pint - this 'pint' turns into a heated confrontation and Kheerat reads key details of Chantelle’s forums to Gray, accusing him of murdering her. Gray quickly loses his temper and starts to fight Kheerat but instead Gray ends up unconscious on the floor with a bleeding head. Chelsea arrives to the scene and calls 999 and reports Kheerat to the police, later resulting in Kheerat fleeing Walford with the help of Stacey. Whitney calls Kheerat and demands to know his location immediately but Stacey informs her that he’s fled Walford and doesn’t have a phone.
Gray’s days become numbered as Tina Carter’s body is found by Phil, the news of this quickly spreads and Whitney, now on her own with 0 help, begins to put all of the logic together and believes that Gray is the murderer of Chantelle and Tina, even without any proof. She quickly takes this news to Mick and says that it was Gray who killed Tina – Mick doesn’t initially believe her but Whitney spits out absolutely everything she knows and Mick still struggles to understand why Gray would be crying his eyes out over Tina, so Whitney persists that it’s all an act and Mick then states that “this can’t be real” Shirley listens in on the conversation and instantly gets angry and storms over to Gray’s house and bangs on his locked door, shouting at him whilst breaking down. Whilst everything kicks off in Albert Square, Whitney arranges a discreet meet-up with Kheerat and begs Whitney to save Chelsea before things get too bad, Kheerat suggests going to the police but Whitney says she already has and they didn’t listen, with no options, Kheerat abandons her without offering any support. As the news of Gray being a murderer spreads, some residents refuse to believe he could be, such as Karen Taylor – Whitney and Mick speak to her but she doesn’t budge and implies that Gray is a good man and wouldn’t hurt anyone, Mitch Baker is also informed that Gray is a murderer and he killed Chantelle, they show him the forum’s and Mitch admits that he knew something was off all along and he quickly gets upset. Gray being under pressure, him and Chelsea have another heated confrontation and he admits to her that he murdered Chantelle, luckily, Chelsea was secretly on the phone to the police who hear his confession but Gray clocks on to this and tries to strangle Chelsea. She slaps him and he almost kills her too but he notices blue lights and quickly flees out of the back door, Gray tries to get Mack and Mia from Karen but Karen is now staying vigilant and questions him if he murdered Chantelle, he fiercely admits it with no remorse and Karen attempts to attack him with a bat. Gray flees once again but is quickly noticed by Whitney and she chases him as he tries to escape, Whitney chases him up a scaffolding, across the rooftops and eventually leading to a dead end at the train tracks. Whitney tries to persuade him into handing himself in but he hints that he wants to jump off of the bridge, Whitney compares Gray to Tony and Rob stating that he’s a sad little man because he loves the power, just like the previous men Whitney had known. Gray then attempts to jump off of the bridge but Whitney grabs him with all of her strength and refuses to let him drop, Gray then reveals to her that he murdered Kush however she shouts at him that he’s a liar, but he then admits exactly what happened in detail and Whitney begins to break down, Gray once again pulls himself down the bridge and Whitney almost goes with him. Struggling to hold on, she tries to pull him up but Mitch comes to her rescue and they both successfully pull him up. Gray finally gets caught by the police and is arrested, he is escorted away in a police car as the residents of Walford gratefully watch as justice is served for Chantelle, Tina and Kush once and for all.
2022-2024: Relationship with Zack, second miscarriage and third pregnancy
As the heat with Gray dies down, Whitney and Mick have a laugh in The Queen Vic and Janine Butcher notices and shows signs of jealousy, Janine fiercely warns her but Whitney bites back and tells Janine she’s lost her head and that Mick will be back with Linda soon. Not much happens for Whitney until November 2022, she has a chat with Zack Hudson and they talk about Zack’s previous relationships, eventually it leads up to Whitney inviting Zack back to hers and they sleep together – Whitney consequently gets pregnant and immediately realises Zack is the father.
Whitney plans on telling Zack but Jean Slater ends up spilling the beans early, Zack struggles to cope with the news and gets stressed out at work. Later that day, Zack visits Whitney and they snap at each other, Whitney says she feels Zack isn’t committed enough to be a dad and that Zack really belongs with Nancy Carter. Zack aggressively says that she wouldn’t make ‘mum of the year’ to her and Whitney ends their relationship on the spot and states they’ll be better off without Zack. The next day, Whitney and Zack meet up at Peggy’s and Zack admits he does want to be a part of the baby’s life, he says he’ll be there for everything and that he’s done with other girls. At Christmas 2022, Mick supposedly dies and Janine is arrested, the news quickly spreads and Whitney finds out what has occurred and quickly gets upset.
2023 begins and Zack discovers that he’s been offered his dream job on a cruise ship, he breaks this news to Whitney and mainly attempts to get her approval. He also insists that she’ll need help with the baby but she says she’ll be fine and it’s not like they’re in a relationship anyways. Later on, Zack is horrified to find out he possibly has HIV and worries that he’s passed it on to Whitney and the baby, Zack consequently pushes everyone away whilst trying to collect his thoughts, including Whitney – they meet in Peggy’s and Zack says he doesn’t want to be a dad or a part of Whitney’s life. Whitney quickly breaks down and shares that he’s ruined her happiness and she adds on that her nor the baby need him, Whitney goes home and cries over the shocking news. Some time after, Whitney goes for her first scan with Chelsea by her side, and no sign of presence from Zack. They are both excited and Felix, Finlay and Sonia join them too, Whitney then sees her baby for the first time and questions if the baby is healthy. February arrives and Whitney and Zack try again. A week or so later, drama approaches when Ryan returns to the square after hearing that his daughter, Lily, is pregnant. Stacey earlier confronted Whitney over this and said that Whitney just wants her big brother back, but she denied this accusation. Despite this, Whitney still tells Ryan about the pregnancy. Back along the lines of the baby’s healthiness, this question is unfortunately answered when Whitney goes for her next baby scan with Kat, they speak with a consultant who informs her that her baby’s organs are growing on the outside of its body, meaning the baby has Omphalocele. The consultant reassures Whitney by saying they can operate upon the birth of the baby. Kat asks the ultimate question that if Whitney will lose her baby, the consultant then devastatingly states that there is a chance the baby will not survive, Whitney then breaks down and fears what will happen. She has a chat with Zack and then he believes that the baby will be a girl and should be called ‘Peach’. Zack also reassures her that 9 out of 10 babies with Omphalocele survive – Later that day, the couple speak to the same consultant who yet again informs them with emotional news that the baby has Edwards’ Syndrome and that most babies with it die before they are born, Zack demands for a second opinion as he struggles to accept the truth but Whitney goes against him and says that the baby IS going to die. They have an emotional heart-to-heart with opposing views and Whitney cannot deal with putting Peach through pain or having to make her suffer, deciding that she WILL have the termination, Zack then breaks down. 4 days later, the termination sadly goes ahead and the two get to meet their perfect baby girl, Peach Dean. Whitney apologises to Peach for how her life ended but she’ll always be her little girl and then she kisses Peach for the first and final time. They then leave the hospital and really struggle to cope with their grief.
A few weeks later, Whitney and Zack have a private ceremony for Peach with some friends and family gathered and Whitney says a heartful speech with Zack accompanying her. They then sadly spread her ashes and say one final goodbye. Whitney then shares a kiss with Zack, despite going separate ways a few days ago. The next day, Zack announces to Sharon that him and Whitney are not meant to be a couple, later on, Zack says to Whitney he’d been with Sam all day and Whitney takes this wrongly. Whitney then asks for honesty off of him rather than hot and cold behaviour. Zack then states that he does want to be with Whitney and does love her, but then reveals something is preventing their love, his HIV. Whitney gets angry and instantly questions him on how he got it, Zack says it was from needles although he’s changed, but Whitney says he hasn’t, she persists to say that he should’ve informed her the moment he found out, Whitney then aggressively kicks him out whilst breaking down once again. During her compassionate leave from work, Honey Mitchell meets with Whitney in the Queen Vic and tells her that she needs to come back to work sooner then she thought. Whitney questions this and Honey reveals it’s because of how many weeks old her baby was, Whitney realises this and then gets sad and cries that “my baby doesn’t matter?”. Whitney and Zack’s relationship continues to be on and off and Zack consults with Whitney that if he should tell Martin and Sharon about his HIV, she mainly advises him that the longer he leaves it, the worse it’ll be when it comes out. After some time passes, Whitney snaps at Bernadette Taylor for making a comment about Zack. Linda then solemnly reminds Whitney that she’s not the first woman to have made a move on someone else’s man, referring to Mick during 2017. Soon after, The locals attend Lola’s funeral, during the afterparty, Whitney and Zack have a conversation as their relationship finally picks back up then Zack officially moves in with Whitney towards the end of June 2023. They later have a party to celebrate them moving in and everybody attends, however a relationship issue breaks out between Chelsea and Ravi Gulati.
Zack gets the all clear for his HIV and that he’s now undetectable, meaning his HIV cannot be sexually transmitted, with an excited tone, he wants to have another baby with Whitney, however she doesn’t want to put her body through that again and suggests adoption to him, although Zack firmly dismisses this idea as he doesn’t want kids that aren’t blood-related. Whitney says things might change but Zack doesn’t like the thought of how long it could be and angrily snaps at Whitney to get out. At her stall, Sharon approaches a crying Whitney and comforts her over Zack’s negative comments, Sharon then confronts Zack and makes him see sense, he says that Whitney has been through enough without having to deal with the dark backstories of some kids. They sit down in the café, and Zack expresses how much he loves Whitney and that he is actually prepared to adopt a child, however they later decide it’d be better to foster children rather than adopting.
The two try to put in an application for fostering but are faced with the news that they cannot live in a shared house with others (Chelsea and Felix) but instead have to live in their own place, Whitney and Zack then move out of 1 Albert Square and move into 3B Albert Square together. After being eligible to apply, the two await for an appointment, they wait for almost 2 months when a social worker, named Jan Rockford comes to their new flat. They open up about Peach and then Jan digs up on Whitney’s past, she then goes to talk about the problems with Leo, however Jan quickly interrupts and wants to talk about what happened with Tony. Whitney says what still hurts is how Tony made her feel like something she wasn’t, she goes into detail about what happened with him. Whitney then appears visibly upset during the chat and she ends the conversation by saying that the one thing Tony gave her was the realisation of how being a child should be, laughter, innocence and sunshine – not forced to lie and keep secrets, she also adds on that their kids will never be keeping quiet and that they will always be laughing and smiling at the table. Jan then leaves and says that her ability to empathise is vital in a foster carer, however she adds on that they should be prepared for some children with dark pasts, similar to hers. After the worker leaves, Whitney instantly assumes that Jan doesn’t believe she can be a foster parent and that Tony is STILL holding her back to this day. However, to their surprise, Jan positively visits the following day and states that Whitney and Zack have been approved to the next stage, they are both very happy and welcomed to their fostering journey.
During Halloween 2023, Whitney and Zack dress up and go into the Vic to celebrate a Halloween party, however it isn’t very lively. Felix enters moments later and says that drinks at the Albert are half price and Whitney, Zack and Bernie are intrigued until George Knight offers free drinks. Whitney stays with her friends and enjoy the party as the hype begins to expand. Upon Dean Wickes’ return to Walford, drama stirs as Linda gets into an argument with Ian and Cindy Beale regarding Dean and Whitney chips in. Later that day, Whitney informs Linda that Dean’s daughter, Jade Green, really is seriously ill - prior to this, Linda didn’t believe Dean. As time goes on, Albie Watts goes ‘missing’ and Whitney assists the community in trying to find him, she then supports Sharon.
Whilst Linda stresses about Sharon’s hen do and urgently asks Whitney to sort her out 25 items by the end of the day. Whitney is quite shocked to get such a sudden request however she completes the task and majorly helps Linda out. Yolande Trueman prepares the Christmas Choir and is all good to go until Kim Fox backs out - Yolande then insists that Whitney should take the lead part but Whitney is disturbed by a thrilling text and quickly rushes home. Upon arrival, her and Zack meet Ashton, their new foster child. Ashton struggles to bond with them at first but Zack quickly makes him laugh and the new family make some plans for the evening. A few days later, Ashton gets scared when there are police sirens and Whitney and Zack try to comfort him. That same day, Whitney finds out that Ashton is scared of sirens due to his dad having numerous altercations with the police in the past. Zack then builds Ashton a den and he smiles and seems happy. Whitney is relieved that Zack managed to make Ashton happy. During more bonding time, Whitney makes Ashton some biscuits but accidentally triggers his allergy. Consequently, Whitney is fearful that the social worker will take Ashton away from her and Zack - They later find out that Ashton will be getting a new permanent home and Whitney is devastated. When Zack drowns his sorrows at Peggy's, Whitney is upset. She believes that Zack should come home and say goodbye to Ashton the proper way by spending the evening with him. However, Sonia asks if Whitney wants Sonia to let Sonia's ex-husband Martin to bring Zack home, Whitney refuses. She believes that it should be Zack’s decision to come back home and properly say goodbye to Ashton. Whitney later takes a pregnancy test and it comes back positive.
Whitney tells Zack about the pregnancy shock and he is delighted although Whitney is fearful of another miscarriage, although their emotions are pushed aside when Ashton is collected by the social worker and they have to say a heartfelt goodbye. Later on, Sonia takes her pregnancy test and it is negative, Sonia is heartbroken and Whitney feels guilty - Whitney then makes the choice to NOT have a baby and doesn’t feel like she can come to terms with it. Despite this, Whitney visits Peach’s tree and gets upset until Yolande Trueman comforts her and reassures Whitney to not be fearful of the future, Yolande also reveals some past trauma with not being able to have children and fostering. Whitney feels very happy with Yolande’s advice and joyfully tells Zack that she’ll give it a try with the baby, no matter what happens.
Linda is fearful when Lauren returns to Walford due to her discovering Annie Carter’s paternity. Sonia and Whitney debate and Sonia decides that it’s right to tell Lauren she has another sister. Whitney is reluctant but goes ahead. After Lauren finds herself with nowhere to go, Whitney offers her residency at her home. Later, Whitney states her 20 week scan is upcoming for the baby. She is fearful as she reminisces on the past with Peach. After finding out Bianca and Terry have split, Whitney goes to Milton Keynes to visit Bianca. In Milton Keynes, Whitney and Zack meet Britney Wainwright and Taylor Wainwright, 2 troubled children who cause chaos on the estate. At Bianca’s, it isn’t long before Whitney reveals the pregnancy and Bianca is over the moon.
Two weeks later, Bianca invites Britney and Taylor over for some dinner and Whitney tries to make conversation with them, but they aren’t interested. Whitney then learns that Britney is deaf, Bianca is also curious as to why Sonia doesn’t know about the pregnancy, and Whitney states that after all of the trouble with the IVF, Whitney didn’t want to make Sonia feel low. Whitney then sees Britney sitting in an alley alone. A week or so later, Whitney is walking through the streets and sees Britney eating pizza from a bin. She tries to speak to Britney but Britney is startled and runs away, Bianca then tells Whitney about how bad of a person Britney’s mum, Keeley Wainwright is. 8 days later, Whitney sees Britney and Taylor shivering and soaking wet in Bianca’s, after being locked out by Keeley. Whitney then storms over to Keeley’s and confronts her over the neglect towards her children. Britney then runs an ‘errand’ for her mum. 2 days later, Whitney is concerned and visits the school, and learns that Britney was supposed to enrol in September 2023 as a Year 8 student, but never did, and last went to school in Year 5. Back at Bianca’s, Whitney finds Britney there with a cut leg and Whitney searches her pockets, she finds drugs on Britney. Whitney is shocked and yet again storms over to Keeley’s and confronts her once again, Britney, Zack, Bianca and Sonia follow, although things are more aggressive this time, Keeley starts dissing Bianca until she throws a brick through Keeley’s window. Keeley then tries to drag Britney inside but she runs away, Whitney then chases after Britney but Britney refuses to talk and runs into the road, she doesn’t notice a car coming so Whitney quickly pushes her away but is suddenly hit by the car and forcefully hits the ground, losing consciousness.
Whitney is rushed to hospital, but luckily everything is ok. When she is out, she notices Keeley had been arrested so Whitney desperately searches for Britney, when finding her, they speak to a social worker about Whitney temporarily taking care of Britney as she’s a registered foster parent. Later on, Whitney and Bianca support Britney and give her a shower and some food. Zack confronts Whitney over her generosity to Britney and demands her to put the baby first - Whitney gets agitated so therefore denies and Zack heads back to Walford on bad terms with Whitney. When Keeley is released, Whitney storms over and confronts Keeley over her parenting style, telling her that she isn’t a stable mother - Keeley is quick to demand Whitney to permanently take care of Britney.
Whitney returns to the Square later on in the month, although Zack isn’t pleased to find out Britney is Whitney’s ‘foster’ daughter. Britney struggles to settle in and tries to leave after Zack gives off negative impressions, although Whitney manages to convince Britney to stay. Later on, Whitney reveals to Lauren that she paid Keeley £2,000 to take Britney from her, also revealing that Whitney hadn’t legally fostered Britney, Lauren is quite shocked and pleads with Whitney to tell Zack. In The Albert, Whitney is fearful that Lauren will reveal her secret.
Whitney manages to enrol Britney in a school but is faced with her next problem when Britney crashes her new bike. At the hospital, a Doctor reveals she has Type 2 Usher Syndrome - affecting her sight and hearing permanently in due course. Whitney panics and even misses a scan whilst trying to support Britney. Britney is also picked on by some bullies at school for having certain glasses to support her vision. Whitney is furious over this and personally confronts the bullies - Once Britney finds out about this, she struggles to keep her secrets inside and reveals to Zack and Lauren that Whitney ‘stole’ her.
Zack is furious with Whitney but she tries to reassure him it’s for the greater good. Whitney also loses her temper with Lauren and insults her, mocking her former alcohol addiction. Zack refuses to listen to Whitney and storms out. Sonia and Penny understand Whitney’s reasoning, despite the action behind it. Whitney is faced with another obstacle when she has to tell Britney about the Usher’s Syndrome. Despite the horrific news, Britney doesn’t overreact too much. A few days later, Bianca returns in the midst of Whitney researching and meets up with other parents who have children with Ushers Syndrome, to understand it fully. Later, Reiss fumbles to one of Britney’s teachers about Whitney not being her mother. Consequently, Social Services arrive and take Britney away, despite Whitney’s great efforts to support her through her condition - they await a response from Keeley. Zack, Bianca and Keeley manage to get Britney back and Whitney is over the moon. The Social Services are satisfied. Whitney, feeling grateful for Zack’s support, proposes to him in The Vic, he positively agrees and they arrange their wedding, with it being 2 weeks away.
As they prepare for the wedding, Britney steals some vases which disappoints Whitney - with Bianca being involved, Whitney dismisses her as Maid of Honour and instead passes the title on to Lauren, who manages to sort out a ‘sten do’ for the couple. Although, Lauren and Whitney have a fall out so Penny locks them in Bianca’s Taco Van to make up. To her disapproval, Whitney’s waters break in the van with no escape. Bianca and Britney come to their rescue and Whitney makes it to the hospital. She is greeted by Lynsey, the midwife who delivered Peach in 2023. Despite this, Whitney successfully gives birth to her daughter, Dolly Dean-Hudson.
Whitney attempts to get married to Zack, although before they say “I do” Britney exposes that Zack slept with Lauren when infuriates Whitney - she then attacks Lauren viciously and punches Zack, the wedding is called off and Whitney breaks down at Sonia’s. When Zack comes over to explain himself, Whitney states that their relationship is over. The next day, Whitney and Bianca hear Lauren out however things get heated quite quickly and Whitney storms out, not forgiving Lauren. She later has a heart-to-heart with Callum and realises that Walford is full of bad habits and makes the choice to leave for good. Once her final day in Walford arrives, Whitney says she’ll move to Ryan’s - Zack doesn’t approve but Whitney says he can certainly visit anytime. Whitney also finds out from Lauren that Bianca knew about Zack cheating and never said anything - this enrages Whitney and she makes the choice to leave Bianca in the past.
Friends and Walford residents gather to wish Whitney farewell and organise a short celebration at the Vic for her. After, she heads to a bus stop with her family and says her goodbyes. On a bus, Whitney leaves Walford with Britney and Dolly, finally getting her happy-ever-after.
Kill count
Murders/manslaughter victims
- Leo King (14 February 2020) (defence) - Stabbed in self defence.
Attempted murder victims
- Ben Mitchell (22 April 2021) - Goes to stab Ben believing he had killed her fiancé Kush Kazemi, but is stopped by Gray Atkins, Kush's real killer.
- Phil Mitchell (11 May 2021) - Still believing the Mitchell's killed Kush, when Whitney sees Phil threatening Callum, she tries to run over Phil and/or Ben.
- Ben Mitchell (11 May 2021) - Still believing the Mitchell's killed Kush, when Whitney sees Phil threatening Callum, she tries to run over Phil and/or Ben.
Employment history
Occupation | Years Active |
---|---|
Barmaid at The Queen Victoria | 2015-2016, 2017 |
Market trader | Unknown - 2024 |
Residence
Address | Years |
---|---|
31 Albert Square | 2008-2015, 2017-2019 |
43B Albert Square | 2011 |
The Queen Victoria | 2015-2016, 2017 |
29A Albert Square | 2015–2017 |
5B Albert Square | 2016-2017 |
23B Albert Square | 2017 |
25 Albert Square | 2019-2022 |
1 Albert Square | 2022-2023 |
3B Albert Square | 2023-2024 |
Wakefield, Yorkshire | 2024- |
Quotes
- To Bianca Jackson (first line; while being evicted by their landlord): "He's not what?" (1 April 2008)
- To Britney Wainwright (final line; whilst leaving Walford): "We'll figure something out. We always do." (23 May 2024)
Background information
- On 2 January 2024, Whitney reveals to Zack that she is pregnant. With her twenty week scan coming up, she would've fallen pregnant between August and September 2023 when they discussed the possibility of fostering a child. Whitney gave birth in May 2024.
- Whitney's last scene references her first ever scene. She leaves Walford by bus, the very same way she arrived there on 1 April 2008. Britney is dressed similar to Whitney.
- She received a Julia's Theme for her exit.