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.
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 (pictured) leaving viewers ‘cringing’ ITV is said to be hoping that singing the TikTok star will help draw in a younger audience
It was previously reported that GK was set to be appear in the latest series of Strictly, but she is said to have turned down a spot (I’m A Celeb’s (L-R) Ant and Dec pictured)
‘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.
A source said: ‘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’
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 (Zara McDermott and pro partner Graziano Di Prima pictured)
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.’
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
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
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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
‘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!
STRICTLY LINE-UP 2024
Chris McCausland
Age: 46
Profession: Comedian
Chris says: ‘If anybody out there is thinking – How the hell is he going to do that? – then rest assured that I am thinking exactly the same thing.’
Dr. Punam Krishan
Age: Unknown
Profession: GP and broadcaster
Punam says: ‘I have watched Strictly every year and it feels extra special that it’s the 20th year, I can’t believe I will be the one getting Strictly-fied.’
Toyah Willcox
Age: 66
Profession: Singer, actor, presenter
Toyah says: ‘I’m super excited and love this show. To be a part of it, the spray tan the glitter. Its a landmark year for me I came a pensioner, Glasto and now I get spray tans.’
Pete Wicks
Age: 36
Profession: Reality star
Pete says: ‘Dancing live in front of the nation every Saturday? Absolutely terrifying.’
Shayne Ward
Age: 39
Profession: Actor and singer
Shayne says: ‘I’m no stranger to live TV, but dancing Latin and Ballroom in front of millions is a whole new level.’
Tom Dean
Age: 24
Profession: Olympic medal winning swimmer
Tom says: ‘Now I can officially talk about how excited I am to get stuck into something new, meet some brilliant people and get dancing’
Nick Knowles
Age: 61
Profession: TV presenter
Nick says: ‘I am going to really go for it I will throw myself at it 100 per cent!’
JB Gill
Age: 37
Profession: Singer
JB says: ‘A lot of the ballroom styles are very alien to me – I didn’t do those dances growing up. I am not a trained dancer.’
Wynne Evans
Age: 52
Profession: Opera singer, presenter
Wynne says: ‘The stuff I’m nervous about is the ones that involve jumping, I don’t really want to do the jive, I’m nervous about that.
Tasha Ghouri
Age: 25
Profession: Model and reality star
Tasha says: ‘I’ve been watching the show since I was little – it’s a firm Ghouri family favourite – so this is a total dream come true.’
Sarah Hadland
Age: 53
Profession: Actress
Sarah says: ‘I feel particularly excited to be part of such an iconic show in its 20th year.’
Jamie Borthwick
Age: 30
Profession: EastEnders star
Jamie says: ‘I had a ball doing the Christmas special, so when I was asked to join it was the easiest yes!’
Sam Quek
Age: 35
Profession: Former GB hockey player and presenter
Sam says: ‘I am so relieved it is out there now it has been hard to keep a secret! The rumours were spreading and I had to lie! I am used to dancing on a girls night out but I will give it my all’
Paul Merson
Age: 56
Profession: Former footballer
Paul says: ‘I won’t worry about it until it starts but when it does I will be nervous – I have only danced three times in my life!’
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Source: Tampa Bay Times
