Social Media Star GK Barry considered for I’m A Celeb

I’m A Celeb bosses are reportedly in ‘advance talks’ with major social media star GK Barry to appear on the show’s new series later this year.

Despite her recent Loose Women appearance leaving viewers ‘cringing’ ITV is said to be hoping that singing the TikTok star, real name Grace Keeling, 24, will help draw in a younger audience.

It was previously reported that GK was set to be appear in the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing, but according The Sun she turned down a spot on the scandal-plagued BBC show. 

A source told the publication: ‘GK is hugely popular with the younger generation and is sharp and quick witted which would translate well to chats around the campfire with other celebs.

‘Producers think she has great energy and is highly entertaining.

‘She has millions of social media followers, which is a top focus of ITV at the moment. Grace is savvy and knows this is a brilliant opportunity to become more of a household name’.

The BBC series is currently embroiled in controversy over how the professional dancers teach the celebs, with multiple accusations emerging of bullying and abusive behaviour. 

An ITV spokesperson said: ‘Any names suggested for I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here are just speculation’ 

MailOnline have also contacted GK Barry reps and BBC for comment.

It comes after Loose Women fans accused Frankie Bridge of ‘not liking’ guest panelist GK after she implied she made a ‘backhanded compliment’ towards her.

Thursday’s show saw the social media star make history as the first panelist on the show who was born in the same year loose women started, 1999, with host Kaye Adams mocking Frankie that she’s no longer the youngest.

Throughout the show, Faye and fellow panelist Denise Welch make humorous quips about 35-year-old Frankie’s age, with Frankie seemingly getting riled up with the comparisons.

However, viewers spotted a very awkward moment later in the show where Frankie appeared to snap back at GK, real name Grace Eleanor Keeling, after she recalled loving Frankie’s band The Saturdays and grew up wanting to be the singer.

As GK shared: ‘I didn’t get any GSCE ‘s at school but I thought, that’s OK, I’ll be Frankie!’, Frankie retorted: ‘That felt like a backhanded compliment!’, before laughing that she was ‘stupid’. 

GK was quick to shut down any inclination that she was making a dig at her co-star but that didn’t stop viewers picking up on the tension between the women.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, fans called out Frankie’s attitude, pointing out she was doing nothing to hide her ‘dislike’ of GK.

They wrote: ‘Frankie being a bit salty today, clearly doesn’t like this GK Barry; Frankie don’t like her 100%’

‘Frankie definitely doesn’t like her, I mean got famous through Ticktock, how dare she lol; So awkward! …. I’m loving it!!”I came to twitter to see if anyone else was thinking the same! seems a bit awkward.’

‘I came to twitter to see if anyone else was thinking the same! seems a bit awkward.’

‘Wow just turn on tv and #LooseWomen is on and wow this ‘Grace’ is not a good look for the show. Very very arrogant! Switched over very fast. Ps Frankie seems to dislike her!’

‘Frankie does because she was told she’s now not the baby of the loose women group . I felt she instantly sent out a vibe that she didn’t like her.’

‘Sorry but Frankie is being so unwelcoming, she’s not hiding the fact she doesn’t like GK Barry.’

‘I’m actually liking Grace, she’s funny, relaxed and doesn’t seem to take herself too seriously Unlike Frankie, who is hating sharing the spotlight right now.’ 

Meanwhile, in another awkward moment between the pair, Frankie joked that she was ‘fuming’ after no longer being the ‘baby’ of the show.

GK Barry was quick to make light of the
situation, sharing: ‘I know there is a feud now and I was so excited to meet Frankie but now there is a feud!’

With Frankie then sarcastically firing back: ‘I don’t like you yet, go away!