EastEnders' Shona McGarty and Max Bowden hold hands on kebab van outing

EastEnders stars Shona McGarty and Max Bowden have been spotted holding hands during a romantic trip to a kebab van.

The soap stars, who play Whitney Dean and Ben Mitchell are said to have “grown close” after Ben split from his pregnant girlfriend this year.

Tthe pair were snapped holding hands at a Hertfordshire take-away where an onlooker told The Sun: "They looked very much like a couple.”

Max, 27, who is the sixth actor to play character Ben Mitchell in the BBC soap, has also been pictured leaving Shona's Welwyn Garden City home recently.

A source told the Sun on Sunday: "They spend as much time together as they can. Most nights or mornings Max is seen entering or leaving Shona’s home. He wears the same clothes most days.''

Shona plays Whitney Dean in the BBC Soap and split from her partner in January (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Meanwhile Max's ex-girlfiend insurance exec Roisin Buckle, who is expecting a baby boy, has vowed they will co-parent their child together, despite the split.

Shona is still single after splitting from electrician fiancé Ryan Harris in January.

And although her dating days may once more be behind her, fans of her soap star character were quick to praise her sexy transformation from character Whitney to none other than music icon Britney.

Shona has seen some of the most harrowing storylines in her time playing Whitney on Albert Square (BBC / Jack Barnes)

The on-screen market trader, 30, appeared on stage and belted out Britney Spears' popular hit song Toxic and even dressed like the American pop star.

Sporting long blonde hair and a blue airline stewardess uniform from the Britney's Toxic music video, she looked a world away from the dark-haired woman we see flogging fashion down Bridge Street market.

EastEnders Shona McGarty blonde transformation (@ShonaBM)

Shona enjoyed her make over to hit-maker Britney Spears (@ShonaBM)

Sharing shot during filming she posted: "This was so fun.." Another holding a salute to the camera she penned: Whitney spears..."

Fans gushed at her transformation on the Instagram post with nothing but complements for her new look.

One posted: "That hair colour looks fantastic it really suits you. x"

Another added: "I can't get how amazing this is."

And over on Twitter one fan said: "Wow, check out Whitney Spears". A second gushed: "It’s Whitney Spears @ShonaBM wow she was amazing as Britney Spears for tonight’s # EastEnders x".

"Whitney singing Britney Spears yasss I’m here for it #EastEnders @ShonaBM your voice girl", wrote one impressed viewer.