GK Barry
{{Short description|English social media influencer and presenter (born 1999)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = GK Barry
| image = GK Barry.png
| caption = Keeling in 2024
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1999|08|12|df=y}}
| birth_name = Grace Eleanor Keeling
| birth_place = Cambridge, England
| alma_mater = Nottingham Trent University
| occupation = {{hlist|Internet personality|social media influencer|presenter}}
| yearsactive = 2020–present
| partner = Ella Rutherford (2024–present)
| module = {{Infobox TikTok personality| embed=yes
| page = gkbarry
| followers = 3.9 million
| likes = 273.6 million
| stats_update =
}}
| module2 = {{Infobox YouTube personality|embed=yes
| genre = Podcast
| channel_handle = @savinggracepod
| channel_display_name = Saving Grace
| subscribers = 520,000
| views = 84.3 million
| years active = 2022–present
| stats_update = 16 April 2025
}}
}}
Grace Eleanor Keeling (born 12 August 1999), known professionally as GK Barry, is an English internet personality, social media influencer and presenter. Keeling began posting on video-sharing platform TikTok in 2020 whilst completing a film studies degree at Nottingham Trent University, during which she worked on the BBC soap opera Doctors. After one year of posting lifestyle videos on the app, she surpassed 1 million followers. She began presenting a podcast, Saving Grace, in April 2022, which sees her interviewing various celebrities. She has since gone on to tour the Saving Grace podcast around the UK. In 2024, Keeling joined the cast of Loose Women as a panellist, making her the youngest regular panellist in the show's 25-year history. She went on to appear in the twenty-fourth series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! later that year. In 2025, she made her acting debut, with a cameo as Vanessa in the Netflix original series Missing You.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-01 |title=Wait, is that GK Barry in Netflix's Missing You? |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/a63225705/gk-barry-netflix-missing-you/ |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=Cosmopolitan |language=en-GB}}
Early life and education
Grace Eleanor Keeling was born on 12 August 1999 in Cambridge, England.{{cite news |last1=Jakes |first1=Aimee |title=GK Barry talks fake tan, manifestation and how to go viral on TikTok |url=https://heatworld.com/shopping/beauty/gk-barry/ |access-date=23 July 2023 |work=Heat |date=17 July 2022 |archive-date=31 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531012534/https://heatworld.com/shopping/beauty/gk-barry/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=GK Barry is managed by HLD Talent |url=https://hldtalent.com/talent/gk-barry/ |publisher=HLD Talent |access-date=23 July 2023 |archive-date=23 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723143610/https://hldtalent.com/talent/gk-barry/ |url-status=live }} When she was two her family moved to the British Virgin Islands, returning to the United Kingdom six years later.
GK studied film at Nottingham Trent University (NTU), obtaining a master's in digital marketing. Whilst at NTU, she worked with the BBC soap opera Doctors, creating videos for ShawMind and Nottinghamshire Police, helped the Nottingham Women's Centre rebrand their business and assisted on the set of the Netflix film Hood.{{cite news |last1=Upton-Clerk |first1=Eve |title=Inside the life of TikTok icon and podcast host Grace Barry |url=https://www.ok.co.uk/celebrity-news/inside-life-tiktok-grace-barry-30065897 |access-date=23 July 2023 |work=OK! |date=24 May 2023 |archive-date=21 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621211714/https://www.ok.co.uk/celebrity-news/inside-life-tiktok-grace-barry-30065897 |url-status=live }}
Career
Keeling came to attention on TikTok in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |last=Lloyd |first=Albertina |date=2024-07-01 |title=GK Barry speaks out about Strictly Come Dancing rumours |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/gk-barry-strictly-come-dancing-135320028.html |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-GB}} She chose the username @gkbarry due to initially not wanting her real name to become public and has explained that the username comes from her initials, GK, and the surname of her friend, Tatiana Barry.{{Cite web |last=Baxter-Wright |first=Dusty |date=2024-01-17 |title=Inside the chaotic world of GK Barry |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/a46267049/gk-barry-podcast-interview/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=Cosmopolitan |language=en-GB}} She admitted that in her final year of university, she prioritised TikTok over her work and felt that she could have achieved a better grade.{{cite news |last1=Hudson |first1=Lilith |title=TikTok Star GK Barry Chats Pryzm, Forbes and Studying at Nottingham Trent University |url=https://leftlion.co.uk/features/2021/09/gk-barry-interview/ |access-date=23 July 2023 |work=Left Lion |date=15 September 2021 |archive-date=23 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723143610/https://leftlion.co.uk/features/2021/09/gk-barry-interview/ |url-status=live }}
In late 2021, she appeared on the Fellas podcast, which led to Keeling starting her own podcast under The Fellas Studios, Saving Grace, in April 2022,{{cite news |last1=Duke |first1=Simon |title=I'm A Celebrity's Ant and Dec 'sign up' star for next year during Instagram live chat |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/tv/ant-dec-im-celebrity-instagram-25571505 |access-date=23 July 2023 |work=Chronicle Live |date=21 November 2022 |archive-date=22 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221122071427/https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/tv/ant-dec-im-celebrity-instagram-25571505 |url-status=live }} which is also uploaded as a vodcast to YouTube.{{cite news |last1=Mensah |first1=Katelyn |date=28 October 2022 |title=All the young and hilarious TikTok stars in the UK you need to be watching right now |work=The Tab |url=https://thetab.com/uk/2022/08/10/all-the-tik-tok-stars-in-the-uk-you-need-to-watch-right-now-267439 |url-status=live |access-date=23 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529050509/https://thetab.com/uk/2022/08/10/all-the-tik-tok-stars-in-the-uk-you-need-to-watch-right-now-267439 |archive-date=29 May 2023}} In November 2022, Keeling participated in Footasylum's "Locked In" online reality series in which she finished as the 2nd runner-up.{{cite news |last1=Gurney |first1=Frances |title=Here's how you can watch Footasylum Locked In featuring GK Barry and Kate Elisabeth |url=https://thetab.com/uk/2022/10/20/footasylum-locked-in-season-three-cast-how-to-watch-gk-barry-kate-elisabeth-278116 |access-date=23 July 2023 |work=The Tab |date=20 October 2022 |archive-date=21 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021093337/https://thetab.com/uk/2022/10/20/footasylum-locked-in-season-three-cast-how-to-watch-gk-barry-kate-elisabeth-278116 |url-status=live }} In February 2023, Keeling toured the UK as part of her Saving Grace podcast.{{cite news |last1=Norris |first1=Lucy |title=Grace Keeling aka GK Barry: All I want for Christmas is... a vodka cranberry and a bit of peace and quiet |url=https://metro.co.uk/2022/12/17/grace-keeling-aka-gk-barry-all-i-want-for-christmas-is-17945278/ |access-date=23 July 2023 |work=Metro |archive-date=3 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103042413/https://metro.co.uk/2022/12/17/grace-keeling-aka-gk-barry-all-i-want-for-christmas-is-17945278/amp/ |url-status=live }} Later that month, she also appeared in an episode of Love Island: Aftersun to discuss the ninth series with presenter Maya Jama. She also fronted an advertisement campaign for KFC in July 2023.{{cite news |last1=Houston |first1=Amy |title=TikTok's GK Barry overstates the power of her influence in KFC promo |url=https://www.thedrum.com/news/2023/07/21/tiktoks-gk-barry-overstates-the-power-her-influence-kfc-promo |access-date=23 July 2023 |work=The Drum |date=21 July 2023 |archive-date=21 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721115109/https://www.thedrum.com/news/2023/07/21/tiktoks-gk-barry-overstates-the-power-her-influence-kfc-promo |url-status=live }} Keeling has also appeared on the ITV2 game show CelebAbility in July 2023, as well as appearing as a contestant in episodes of The Wheel and The Weakest Link on BBC One. In September 2023, Keeling was announced as one of the celebrities participating in Don't Look Down for Stand Up to Cancer, which aired on Channel 4 in October 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.channel4.com/press/news/celebrities-revealed-channel-4s-dont-look-down-stand-cancer|title=Celebrities revealed for Channel 4's Don't Look Down for Stand Up To Cancer|work=Channel 4 News|date=15 September 2023|access-date=15 September 2023}} In October 2023, Keeling appeared as a guest panellist on the Big Brother companion show, Big Brother: Late & Live, to discuss the twentieth series with presenters Will Best and AJ Odudu.{{Cite web |url= https://www.itv.com/watch/big-brother:-late-and-live/10a4929/10a4929a0028 |title=Big Brother: Late & Live - Series 1 - Episode 28 |work=ITVX}}
From February to March 2024, Keeling completed a sold-out UK tour for a second time as part of the Saving Grace podcast.{{Cite news |last=Conlan |first=Tara |date=2024-04-14 |title='You can be normal. You can have acne!' TikTok star GK Barry on the appeal of social media personalities |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2024/apr/14/you-can-be-normal-you-can-have-acne-tiktok-star-gk-barry-on-the-appeal-of-social-media-personalities |access-date=2024-07-15 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} Guests for the second tour included Charity Shop Sue, Gemma Collins, Hannah Elizabeth, Chloe Ferry, Chris Hughes, Katie Price, Louie Spence, and Scott van-der-Sluis.{{cite web|url=https://www.hotpress.com/culture/gk-barry-announces-tour-including-a-date-in-dublins-vicar-street-22991875|title=GK Barry announces tour including a date in Dublin's Vicar Street|last=Toohey|first=Ali|work=Hot Press|date=18 October 2023|access-date=23 March 2024}} The same year, she confirmed she was in a relationship with Ipswich Town footballer Ella Rutherford.{{cite web |last1=Devine |first1=Kenzi |title=England footballer Ella Rutherford 'confirms' relationship with GK Barry |url=https://www.ok.co.uk/celebrity-news/england-footballer-ella-rutherford-confirms-33448574.amp |website=OK! Magazine |access-date=12 November 2024 |language=en |date=12 August 2024}} Since August 2024, Keeling has appeared as a panellist on the ITV daytime talk show Loose Women, making her the youngest panellist ever on the show at the age of 25.{{Cite web |title=Who is GK Barry? Meet the I'm a Celebrity 2024 contestant {{!}} Radio Times |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/reality-tv/gk-barry-im-a-celebrity-2024-contestant/ |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}} In November 2024, Keeling was a contestant in the twenty-fourth series of the survival reality television show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! and was the eighth contestant to be eliminated, finishing in fifth place.{{cite news|url=https://www.itv.com/news/2024-11-11/im-a-celebrityget-me-out-of-here-official-2024-lineup-confirmed|title=I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! official 2024 lineup confirmed|work=ITV News|date=11 November 2024|access-date=11 November 2024}}{{cite news|last1=Stolworthy|first1=Jacob|title=I'm a Celebrity: Two stars voted off as final four revealed|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/im-a-celeb-who-left-itv-gk-barry-alan-b2660324.html|work=The Independent|date=6 December 2024}} Keeling grew close to Reverend Richard Coles during the show, a relationship that fans referred to as a 'bromance',{{Cite web |last=Rosseinsky |first=Katie |date=3 December 2024 |title=I’m a Celebrity fans celebrate ‘wholesome’ bond between Richard Coles and GK Barry |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/richard-coles-gk-barry-friendship-im-a-celebrity-b2658352.html |url-status=live |access-date=28 April 2025 |website=The Independent}} and he later appeared as a guest in an episode of Saving Grace.{{Cite web |title=143: Reverend Richard Coles Spills On I'm A Celebrity, Life As A Gay Priest, And His Popstar Past! |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/143-reverend-richard-coles-spills-on-im-a-celebrity/id1619965208?i=1000683206465 |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=Apple Podcasts |language=en-US}} Over a week after leaving I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, Keeling took over Wembley Arena for her Saving Grace: XXX-Mas Special on 15 December 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2aSTY-h338|title=The Saving Grace XXX-Mas Show LIVE @ Wembley! - FULL SHOW|work=YouTube|date=24 December 2024|access-date=25 January 2025}}
In January 2025, Keeling appeared as a guest panellist on the Channel 4 comedy talk show, The Last Leg.{{Cite web|url=https://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-last-leg/on-demand/77642-001|title=The Last Leg - Series 32 Episode 1|access-date=2025-01-25|website=Channel 4 on Demand}} She is expected to tour the UK for a third time in September 2025, as part of the Saving Grace: Jungle Fever Tour.{{cite web|url=https://the-yorkshireman.com/gk-barry-tour-2025/|title=I'm A Celeb Star GK Barry Announces "Jungle Fever Tour" For 2025 & It's Coming To Yorkshire|last=Ellis|first=Nathan|work=The Yorkshireman|date=11 December 2024|access-date=25 January 2025}} In May, she was revealed to be a judge on Jimmy Carr's new comedy show Am I The A******? airing on Comedy Central later in the year{{Cite web |date=2025-05-26 |title=GK Barry doing 'dream TV job' |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/gk-barry-doing-dream-tv-090000407.html |access-date=2025-05-29 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-GB}} as well as being a host on BBC Radio 1 on the weekend afternoon show in July of the same year.{{Cite web |title=Sophie Habboo joins Jamie Laing on Radio 1’s Going Home show this June |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2025/sophie-habboo-radio-1-jamie-laing/ |access-date=2025-05-29 |website=BBC |language=en}}
Filmography
= Television =
= Podcast =
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role !Production !Ref. |
|---|
| 2022–present
| Saving Grace | Presenter |
| 2024
|The Turnout with GK Barry |Presenter |
| 2025
|Loose Women: The Podcast |Presenter |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|13761769}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Barry, GK}}
Category:21st-century English women
Category:21st-century English LGBTQ people
Category:Alumni of Nottingham Trent University
Category:British women podcasters
Category:English lesbian entertainers