GK Barry hints at I'm A Celeb appearance with telling two-word statement

GK Barry was rumoured to be in "advanced talks" for I'm A Celeb 2024, and has now hinted that she could be taking on the jungle in a matter of weeks.

Social media sensation GK Barry has left fans in suspense over rumours that she’s been signed to enter the I’m A Celebrity jungle - as she admitted it would be "good viewing" for others.

But the star, who hosts the viral podcast Saving Grace - which sees her putting celebrities and influencers in the hot seat - has confirmed that, as red carpet host of Pride of Britain, she will be inviting stars to enjoy a toast with her.

She laughs: “I’m going to have my very own bar on the red carpet and while the guest is speaking to me, they’ll be offered a drink. It’s very me!”

Already said to have turned down a place on Strictly Come Dancing, the rumour is that GK - whose real name is Grace Keeling - is in advanced talks to join this year’s I’m A Celebrity, with others touted to be joining including Philip Schofield, Tommy Fury and Zara McDermott.

She told the Mirror: “I've watched I'm A Celeb every year.

"It looks like absolute hell, to be honest. I hate bugs. I hate sleeping outside. I've never done it. And so I think that would be a lot.

“But I feel like it would also probably be good viewing for other people. You’ll have to wait and see."

Since first posting on TikTok in 2020, Grace, 25, has amassed an audience of 3.6 million on the platform.

The star, from Cambridge, also has 1.5 million listeners to her podcast, launched in 2022.

Yet, she says her massive following is entirely accidental.

She explains: “I called myself GK Barry because I didn’t want people from school or university finding my videos. I was embarrassed about it at first.

“It’s ironic. When you’re small, a lot of people will judge you for the content you are putting out. But as soon as you start getting bigger, all those people who judged you want to become your best friend.”

Grace made her first big appearance on TV in August when she joined the Loose Women panel, making her one of the youngest ever panelists - born in 1999, the same year as the show.

Despite talk of a “feud” between her and Frankie Bridge, she describes her fellow panellists as the “nicest people ever.”

She adds: “I never thought they'd have someone like me on there.

“And I was so nervous when I first started because I thought, ‘My God, what if no one gets my sense of humour?’

“Obviously, the audience is very different to people who watch my podcast, but it has been received so well, and everyone on there is so lovely.”

Now, she can’t wait to be involved in the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards as it celebrates its 25th anniversary.

This will be her second year on the red carpet and her first year as a judge, alongside stars like Oti Mabuse, Michael Sheen and Ben Shepherd.

“I walked into that room and thought, ‘the imposter syndrome is real’,” she says, describing the judges’ room.

“But everyone was so welcoming and so nice. It was just amazing to be sat across from all these incredible people.”

Admitting that the panel had a very hard job deciding on winners, she adds: “It was honestly probably one of the most difficult things I’ve done. There are so many amazing people who have done incredible things so it was hard to narrow it down to just one.

“It restores your faith in humanity. We were all in that room debating for such a long time. But we finally came to a decision together and all the winners are so deserving.”

And , of course, she will be raising a glass to the winners when she enjoys a drink with the celebrities she invites to her red carpet bar.

Hoping that a drink will loosen people up, she adds: “If someone offered me a drink I would be more willing to speak so I think it’ll go down well with the celebs!

“I can’t wait – it’s going to be a great night.”

• GK Barry will be at the Pride of Britain Awards, in partnership with TSB, on October 21 to reward Britain's unsung heroes.
• Don't miss the Pride of Britain Awards, Thursday 24th October, 8pm ITV1 and ITVX