Loose Women panellist ‘turned down’ Strictly in favour of I’m A Celebrity-Emily Bashforth-Entertainment – Metro

A social media sensation reportedly turned down Strictly this year (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

A Loose Women newbie reportedly shunned Strictly Come Dancing in favour of another ITV show.

GK Barry – an influencer and podcast phenomenon – was rumoured to have signed up for the BBC dance show’s 20th series, with her name repeatedly mentioned in speculative line-ups earlier this year.

However, with no sign of the social media star – real name Grace Keeling – in the cast list so far, it’s now been said that she turned Strictly down.

Grace, 24, is now being eyed by I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! bosses for a stint Down Under this autumn.

According to a source, signing Grace – whose hit podcast is called Saving Grace – could be a great way of attracting younger viewers.

‘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,’ an insider told The Sun.

GK Barry – real name Grace Keeling – has millions of online followers (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

‘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.’

They added: ‘Grace is savvy and knows this is a brilliant opportunity to become more of a household name.’

On Strictly, the insider said: ‘She did have several meetings with Strictly, but ultimately decided it wasn’t the best fit and is keen to pursue her telly career with ITV.’

Responding to the reports, an ITV spokesperson said: ‘Any names suggested for I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here are just speculation.’

Grace has expressed interest in doing I’m A Celeb in the past (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

The reports come after Grace made her debut as a Loose Women host, sitting behind the famous table alongside Frankie Bridge, Denise Welch, and Kaye Adams earlier this week.

Well-loved for her sarcasm and risqué humour, the young star proved a hit with viewers and gelled well with her co-presenters.

And she’s keen to appear on mainstream TV shows more often, having hinted last year that she’d happily sign up for the jungle.

However, she has one condition.

She said: ‘I want them to put me in there when there’s a muscly man that can hold me in a hammock and until then, I’m not going in.

Who will head Down Under with Ant and Dec this series? (Picture: James Gourley/ITV/Shutterstock)

‘I need a single man, a single strong muscly man.’

Grace recently confirmed a new romance, telling podcast listeners in May that she was ‘in love’ and officially ‘off the market’ after three weeks of dating her girlfriend, suggesting those I’m A Celeb conditions may no longer apply.

The TikToker – who boasts over 4.5million followers across her platforms – rapidly rose to fame with her comical videos about life mishaps in 2020.

Since then, her podcast has attracted celebrity guests such as Rylan Clark, Katie Price, Ella Toone, and plenty of Love Islanders.

Grace has also toured the UK and Ireland, performing in packed venues, suggesting that she could do very well should she head to Australia for Ant and Dec’s reality show later this year.

It’s still early days in terms of I’m A Celebrity 2024, but there have been plenty of rumours flying about another potential Strictly crossover.

Giovanni Pernice is reportedly being eyed up by ITV bosses (Picture: BBC/Ray Burmiston)

After he was axed from the Beeb’s flagship show, producers are said to want Giovanni Pernice as a campmate and are prepared to pay him £100,000 for the pleasure.

Speaking to Mail Online, a source claimed that Giovanni has declared he will never go back to Strictly after Amanda Abbington accused him of ‘bullying’ her during training last series, which he has denied.

The insider added: ‘Gio is looking forward to getting his career going again.

‘His Strictly one may have come to an end, but that doesn’t mean it’s over for him.

‘There are some very exciting things in the pipeline.’

This year’s Strictly line-up includes X Factor icon Shayne Ward (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)

Pete Wicks is also heading for the dancefloor (Picture: Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Miranda star Sarah Hadland joins the line-up (Picture: Comic Relief/BBC Children in Need/Comic Relief via Getty Images)

They added: ‘He is really popular and there is a huge appetite for him elsewhere.

‘He will never go back to Strictly, too much has happened.’

As for Strictly 2024, several stars have already been confirmed to be taking to the dancefloor, including Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri, Towie’s Pete Wicks, Gladiators star Montell Douglas, Olympic swimmer Tom Dean, EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick, The X Factor winner Shayne Ward, and Miranda actress Sarah Hadland.

I’m A Celebrity returns to ITV later this year. Strictly Come Dancing returns to the BBC this autumn.

Reps for GK Barry have been contacted for comment.

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