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Leona Lewis praises 'beautiful' cover of her song on 'EastEnders'

Leona Lewis was delighted when 'EastEnders' star Shona McGarty performed her song on the popular soap. (Mike Marsland/WireImage/BBC)
Leona Lewis was delighted when 'EastEnders' star Shona McGarty performed her song on the popular soap. (Mike Marsland/WireImage/BBC)

Leona Lewis has revealed she was left "hyperventilating" when cover versions of her songs were performed on an episode of EastEnders.

Earlier this week, popular Albert Square character Whitney Dean — played by Shona McGarty — sung the X Factor winner's 2007 album track Homeless live in the Queen Vic.

Whitney then performed Lewis's version of Run — originally written and recorded by Snow Patrol — with which she went to number one in 2008.

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Lewis tweeted her thanks to McGarty and EastEnders for using her songs during her performance on the show.

She wrote: "Excuse me while I hyperventilate!!! To see someone sing my song (and sooo beautifully) on a show I grew up watching, this means everything to me!!!"

McGarty responded to Lewis's message with her own words of thanks, expressing her surprise that the singer had been so moved by her performance.

She wrote: "This means the world! Honestly. I love your music, always have. Thank you so much."

Read more: Where are the X Factor winners today?

Market trader Whitney took to the Queen Vic stage after encouragement from Brian Conley's character and promptly wowed the regulars in the pub.

It wasn't just Lewis who was impressed by McGarty's talents, with some fans surprised by her secret singing voice and others noting she previously performed on Children in Need in 2012.

Watch: Coming up on EastEnders

Lewis is set to return to the stage later this year as she hits the road with Gary Barlow as part of his 14-date All The Hits Live 2021 tour.

It will be her first tour since she travelled the UK in 2016 in support of her fifth album I Am.

Read more: EastEnders star set for Strictly Come Dancing in 2021

Since then, Lewis has pursued her acting career and her charity work, including for numerous animal rights organisations and, most recently, as a patron of the Hackney Empire.

She married professional dancer and choreographer Dennis Jauch in July 2019 after nine years of dating.

Watch: Leona Lewis appears on songwriting competition show Songland