I’m A Celebrity’s GK Barry is playing dumb but she’s in it to win it

DON’T be fooled by the screams. Self-confessed “young and dumb” GK Barry knows exactly what she’s doing to win I’m A Celebrity.

Let me be clear – before all of her fans start coming for me – I already believe she’s a worthy Queen of the Jungle… having given us screams, laughs and tears all within 24 hours.

Despite a massive social media following, the 25-year-old YouTube star doesn’t have the media-interest of Coleen Rooney or the old school star power of McFly’s Danny Jones.

But the quick-witted campmate, whose real name is Grace Keeling, is far from the dopey and naive youngster she’s so far portrayed herself to be.

GK Barry confessed on her most recent episode of Saving Grace: “I’m not going to cope well. I’m someone who’s terrified of everything.

“I hate animals… Why the f*** am I going to Australia?”

However, within the same 46-minute video, Grace told how she was left “really upset” when she failed to make the cut for last year’s I’m A Celeb line-up.

She even went as far as to bring up winning – telling fans she’s avoiding cooking in camp because “I’ll kill everyone.”

Grace added: “Everyone will get salmonella, then I’ll win by default.”

She also begged: “Please vote to keep me in.”

After finally get the call-up, Grace spent the first episode screaming like a banshee, claiming “I hate this show” – before even setting foot in camp.

Then, as if by magic, she was able to deliver a killer performance in the Vile Volcano Bushtucker trial when her new famous mates’ food was on the line.

The performance was as funny as a stand-up routine – telling herself to “grow up” as she navigated snakes, rats and cockroaches in a small space.

Without doubt, she’s got what it takes to go all the way after going into second favourite with the bookies.

However, she needs to ditch the game plan brilliantly played by the likes of Helen Flanagan and Gillian McKeith.

Yes, showing fear gets you the air time and attention to stand-out from the nine other campmates, but playing dumb about the Wagatha Christie case in front of the woman herself? Even her fans aren’t falling for it. Let’s face it. Like all of us, she wanted the tea.

One viewer wrote on X: “GK Barry is a smart cookie. She doesn’t have fears, she just knew what to do to get exposure and air time.

“Don’t underestimate how clever she is, she is manipulating the viewers.”

The I’m A Celeb superfan’s podcast took off in the Covid pandemic as she divulged wild tales and laugh-out loud moments from her daily life on Saving Grace.

Her relaxed interview technique has attracted a whole host of high-profile stars as guests, from Katie Price to Alan Carr who she brilliantly disarms with her casual attitude.

It brings out the best and most entertaining side of her interviewees – and it’s by no means an accident.

Too often, women are made to feel bad for having ambition.

I’d love to see the REAL Grace who’s not afraid to say she goes for what she wants and she gets it – whether that’s a hugely successful podcast series, getting onto I’m A Celeb or bagging a footballer girlfriend.

It’s time to ditch the scaredy cat cliche in the jungle and show us what she’s really made of.