ITV I'm A Celebrity's GK Barry's rise to fame from new reality show to 'iconic' TV role

When the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! 2024 line-up was announced, many were left wondering, "Who is GK Barry? " However, just two weeks into her jungle stint, the 25-year-old, whose real name is Grace Eleanor Keeling, has become a household name.

The social media sensation, who's been eager for her moment on I'm A Celeb, expressed her excitement: "Too right I'm a super fan! [Ant and Dec] went, 'What is a GK Barry? ', and now we have gone from that to me being on the show. It has gone full circle. I can't wait to meet them in Australia in the jungle. I am also excited to meet everyone on the programme, as the cast is always amazing."

Despite her massive online following, with 3.7 million TikTok fans and over 60,000 YouTube subscribers, she confessed to being terrified of "everything" and revealed she hadn't "slept in a month" due to nerves.

Competing with celebs like Danny Jones, Coleen Rooney, Oti Mabuse, Jane Moore, Tulisa Contostavlos, Alan Halsall, Barry McGuigan, Dean McCullough, and Melvin Odoom, plus late arrivals Maura Higgins and Reverend Richard Coles, GK Barry acknowledges that some of the older viewers might not recognise her, reports OK!

"Do you know what? I'm aware that I'm going to go in there and no one's going to know who I am," she admitted. "So I need to make a good first impression, but I'm always that person who makes friends with older people. If I'm in a room with someone, I'm going to go to the mums. So I feel like, hopefully they see that from me and end up liking me. And if they don't, I'll just book an early flight home. That's absolutely fine."

The social media star has already been through highs and lows, having been seen with mascara running down her face after a tough time with cockroaches in the jungle's Hell Hole, where she was searching for a key – her hilarious screams during scary moments have quickly become iconic among her followers.

GK's adventure is set to become even tougher as it's been revealed that she's been picked by the public to face the Vile Volcano Bushtucker Trial. On hearing the news, the TikTok sensation burst into tears and jokingly exclaimed, "I'm going to die", while her campmates rallied around her, reports the Mirror.

Nevertheless, as this year's celebrities confront the extraordinary trials of jungle life, GK is certainly making her mark – bringing much-needed humour and light-heartedness to the camp when spirits are low.

"I think people assume I am always full on but I'm actually a calm person," she remarked, alluding to her usual on-screen energy before she jetted off to Oz. GK is no stranger to the small screen – with a degree in film from Nottingham Trent University under her belt, she has even contributed to the BBC soap 'Doctors'.

Moreover, this year marked her history-making entrance as the youngest-ever panellist on ITV's Loose Women. Talking about her new role, GK, who split her early years between the British Virgin Islands and the UK, declared, "It's iconic that I'm the youngest one there. I feel like I've actually done something. I can give my two cents, and everyone has to listen to it."

She has voiced her concerns about being undervalued due to age. "I feel like [our generation] is overlooked," GK explained, highlighting the fresh perspective she introduces at meetings, spurring lively debates. "Because we're 'young', you know? ".

Further discussing her impact on the audience, GK added, "I feel like it's quite nice to maybe get a different, like another demographic, listening to me. Obviously, I've got Gen Z down but I think it would be nice to have, like, a bit of a different audience as well to be included in so, yeah, I think it's quite exciting."

GK Barry's influence extends far beyond her social media clout. During the lockdown in April 2022, she launched her podcast 'Saving Grace', which quickly climbed to new heights.

Since its launch, she has hosted a star-studded guest list on her show, including Gemma Collins, Chris Hughes, Katie Price, and Louie Spence. The podcast's success has sparked a UK tour, with tickets selling rapidly for shows scheduled from February to March 2024.

She is also preparing for an epic Christmas event at the iconic OVO Arena Wembley, where she will host the 'Saving Grace XXXMas Special' this December.

Additionally, GK has been pioneering in promoting open conversations about sexuality among young people. On 'I'm A Celeb', she opened up about her own coming out experience, sharing that she met her girlfriend Ella "by accident" on Instagram and initially hid it from her parents.

When they finally asked who she was spending so much time with, GK revealed their relationship, happily noting her parents "never had an issue with it".

Currently, GK's adventure in the jungle is being supported by her partner, footballer Ella Rutherford. Their relationship was first hinted at on GK's podcast where Ella was nicknamed "Eyelashes", but it was Ella who made it official in August with a birthday post on Instagram.

Grace has since been open about their connection – her first with another woman – stating she will "never go back to a man".

Now, as the outspoken rising star continues to vie for the title of Queen of the Jungle, industry insiders are tipping her for a strong chance of reaching the final. Dermot McNamara, founder of talent agency Candid, commented, "Aside from Nessa Rose last year, this is one of the few times an influencer or TikTok star has entered the jungle, so it's likely viewers didn't know what to expect from her. GK has done a fantastic job and, it's early days, but there's nothing to say she won't make the final."

"She's got that likability factor and being open and honest has always been her style of content. GK is staying true to herself but also setting a good example to young girls. Talking about her coming out story, for example, encourages others to voice their opinions."

The PR guru also suggested that this could be an ideal opportunity for GK to "expand her CV" and solidify her celebrity status.

"She's savvy when it comes to business – her podcast really took off during lockdown and she's already had some great interviews. This appearance on such a high-profile show gives her the chance to be known beyond just her own core audience. GK knows she needs to maintain relevance, and diversify into different areas."

"Loose Women was a great starting point for her to expand into the world of TV and it's likely ITV is viewing her as their "next big star". A spin-off show with her girlfriend Ella could be on the horizon – like a fly-on-the-wall reality series. Commercial deals, which GK already does, could come in thick and fast, too. She's already commercially friendly and viable – she's worked with Pretty Little Thing, is the face of Wagamama and has a jewellery line. It's likely she'll have her pick of anything."

GK herself shared that she was hoping to boost her TV career following her jungle stint, much like former winners Emily Atack and Vicky Pattison. She confessed she wasn't "doing this show for fun" and it was "a good step forward" as she hoped the people she meets in the jungle could help with "future jobs".