When fans first heard about GK Barry girlfriend, the internet went wild. The popular podcaster, TikTok star, and I’m A Celebrity contestant has always been known for her humor and bold personality, but this time, it was her love life that stole the spotlight. So, who is GK Barry’s girlfriend Ella Rutherford, and how did the two meet? Let’s dive into their love story, from social media messages to jungle shout-outs, and everything in between.
Who Is GK Barry?
Before we get into her relationship, let’s answer the common question: Who is GK Barry?
GK Barry is the online name of Grace Keeling, a 25-year-old social media personality who shot to fame on TikTok. Known for her hilarious takes on everyday life, she quickly grew a massive following. Soon after, she became the host of her hit podcast Saving Grace and even joined ITV’s Loose Women as the youngest panellist ever.
Her quick wit, honest humor, and confidence made her stand out. But it was when she appeared on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! That many fans got to know a different side of her, one that included her personal life, her identity, and most importantly, her partner.
Who Is GK Barry’s Girlfriend?
So, who is GK Barry’s girlfriend? Her name is Ella Rutherford, and she’s a professional footballer with an impressive career in women’s football.
Here are some quick facts about GK Barry’s girlfriend Ella Rutherford:
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ella Mai Rutherford |
| Age | 24 years old (born April 2000) |
| Profession | Professional Footballer |
| Current Club | Ipswich Town |
| Past Clubs | Millwall, Bristol City, Charlton Athletic, Leicester City (loan) |
| Position | Striker |
| Instagram Followers | 50,000+ |
| Connection to GK Barry | Girlfriend since 2023 |
From her early days at Millwall’s Centre of Excellence to her current role at Ipswich Town, Ella has shown passion, talent, and determination. She’s not just “GK Barry’s girlfriend” – she’s a rising star in football with her own dedicated fan base.
How Did GK Barry Meet Ella Rutherford?
Now, let’s get to the heart of the story: how GK Barry met her girlfriend.
Like many modern romances, their love story started online. GK Barry first spotted Ella on Instagram and admitted she was instantly drawn to her. Grace once said, “I saw her Instagram and thought, ‘hello’.” She slid into Ella’s DMs, and that was the beginning of what would turn into a beautiful relationship.
Funny enough, GK Barry had earlier joked on Lioness Ella Toone’s YouTube channel about wanting to be set up with a footballer. Looks like the universe answered her wish, because she ended up with Ella Rutherford, a talented striker.
The Early Days of Their Relationship
At first, GK Barry kept her relationship private. On her podcast Saving Grace, she often referred to her partner as “Eyelashes” without revealing her name. She described being completely smitten and admitted that she felt like she had finally found her match.
It wasn’t until Ella posted a birthday message on Instagram in August that the world got confirmation of who GK Barry’s partner really was. She shared sweet photos of them together with the caption: “Happy Birthday, babe. I love you more and more every day.”
This public declaration put an end to speculation and made their relationship Instagram official.
How Long Has GK Barry Been With Her Girlfriend?
Fans often ask: How long has GK Barry been with her girlfriend?
The couple has been dating since May 2023. Things moved quickly, and by summer, they were already serious. They even vacationed together in Benidorm, where GK Barry admitted she was “in love.”
She said on her podcast: “Whenever I refer to eyelashes, I am talking about the love of my life. I’m in love, and it has been three weeks, but that’s fine. That’s absolutely fine. She came to me like a dream, and I was obsessed.”
For someone who’s always been funny and confident, it was refreshing for fans to see Grace so openly soft and romantic about Ella.
GK Barry’s Coming Out Journey
One of the most touching parts of this relationship is how it helped GK Barry embrace her identity.
Before dating Ella, GK Barry had only been in relationships with men. She revealed that this is her first serious relationship with a woman, and she couldn’t be happier. She described it as having a “lesbian glow,” saying she felt like she’d been “missing out” all along.
When it came to her parents, Grace shared a funny but sweet story about how she came out. She had mentioned “staying at Ella’s” several times, and eventually, her parents asked: “Who is Ella?” That’s when she simply told them: “She’s my girlfriend.”
Their response? “Oh, cool.”
It was casual, supportive, and exactly what she needed.
Ella Rutherford’s Football Career
Now, let’s take a closer look at GK Barry girlfriend Ella Rutherford’s career.
Ella is a striker who has built an impressive journey in women’s football:
- Millwall Lionesses (2017): Made her senior debut at just 16 during the FA WSL 2 Spring Series.
- Bristol City (2018): Signed after Millwall faced financial issues.
- Crystal Palace (Loan, 2019/20): Gained more first-team experience.
- Leicester City (Loan, 2020): Continued to showcase her attacking skills.
- Charlton Athletic: Played a key role before moving on to her current club.
- Ipswich Town (2024): Currently playing for the club and making headlines.
Football fans respect Ella not just because she’s “GK Barry’s partner” but because of her skills, discipline, and journey through some of England’s most competitive women’s teams.
Why Fans Love Their Relationship
The internet has fully embraced the couple. Here’s why:
- Authenticity: Both GK Barry and Ella are open about their love without overexposing it.
- Humor & Romance: Grace’s jokes and Ella’s supportive posts make them relatable.
- Public Support: Ella often shares encouraging posts, including calling Grace her “little jungle babe” during I’m A Celeb.
- Representation: Their relationship is an inspiration to fans who are navigating their own identity and love lives.
GK Barry on I’m A Celebrity and the Jungle Support
When GK Barry joined I’m A Celebrity, it was the longest time she and Ella had been apart. But Ella didn’t let that stop her from showing support. She shared photos and videos on TikTok and Instagram, cheering on her girlfriend.
Grace also revealed she gave Ella a cardboard cutout of herself before leaving so she wouldn’t miss her too much. She even sent her a bouquet of red roses with a sweet note: “I miss you my little pea head angel, I love you.”
Fans couldn’t get enough of these romantic gestures.
GK Barry Real Name
For those who might still be wondering, GK Barry’s real name is Grace Keeling. She adopted the name “GK Barry” as her online identity when she started creating TikToks. Over time, the name stuck, and now fans across the UK know her by this catchy nickname.
Are GK Barry and Ella Rutherford Married?
Right now, no, GK Barry and Ella Rutherford are not married. But fans love speculating about their future. The way Grace talks about Ella, calling her “the love of my life,” and the way Ella openly supports Grace has led many to believe that wedding bells could ring someday.
For now, the couple seems focused on enjoying their time together, Ella’s football career at Ipswich Town, and Grace’s busy life as a podcaster and media personality.
Why Their Story Stands Out
Plenty of celebrities have relationships in the spotlight, but there’s something refreshing about Ella GK Barry girlfriend news. Their story isn’t overly staged or forced. It’s genuine, funny, and filled with little details that make fans feel part of their journey.
From Instagram DMs to public declarations of love, from football pitches to the I’m A Celeb jungle, they’ve shown that real connections can blossom in unexpected ways.
Final Thoughts
So, who is GK Barry’s girlfriend? She’s Ella Rutherford, a talented footballer, a supportive partner, and someone who’s made Grace glow with happiness. Their love story is modern, relatable, and inspiring to many fans watching from the sidelines.
For now, Grace continues to build her career in media while Ella shines on the football field. Together, they’ve created one of the most talked-about celebrity relationships of the year.
And if there’s one thing fans can agree on, it’s this: the nation has indeed fallen in love with their love story, just like Ella predicted.
