Yahoo News GK Barry speaks out about Strictly Come Dancing rumours
The TikTok star, real name is Grace Keeling, is rumoured to be in talks for the BBC dance show, along with Homes Under The Hammer star Martin Roberts.
What did you miss?
GK Barry has broken her silence on rumours she is to take part in the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing.
The TikTok and YouTube star, whose real name is Grace Keeling, is reported to be in talks for the latest series of the BBC dance show. Keeling, 24, was a guest on ITV's Loose Women where she was asked to comment on reports she would be taking to the dance floor for the 22 series of Strictly, which will be celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
Keeling is one of several names to already have been linked to this year's Strictly, along with Homes Under the Hammer star Martin Roberts. Roberts, 60, dropped a hint earlier in the year that he needed to "get super fit" for an upcoming TV show he was in talks for.
What, how and why?
Comedian Keeling rose to fame on TikTok after joining during the COVID pandemic in 2020, and went on to launch her own vodcast Saving Grace on YouTube in 2022.
When she appeared on Loose Women just days after her name was linked to Strictly 2024, Brenda Edwards asked her if the rumours were true. Keeling said: "So last year I was rumoured to go on Celebrity Big Brother. I've also been rumoured to do Celebrity SAS, God forbid. So I think I'm rumoured to do a lot of shows, but I do have two left feet, so take that as you will - an underdog. Take however you want that as you will, but I can't dance."
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Keeling interviewed Strictly head judge Shirley Ballas on the red carpet at the Pride of Britain awards in 2023. In a video posted on TikTok she asked Ballas: "If you were going to make me do a dance with these hips, what would you make me do?" She then added: "See you next season." Ballas mouthed: "Yes!" to camera and pointed at Keeling.
Keeling said her fame was "a complete accident, the best accident" because she was "so bored", and started posting videos on TikTok that went viral. She now has 3.5 million followers. The social media influencer, who has appeared on The Weakest Link and Don't Look Down: Stand Up For Cancer, said: "Then I just started doing stories about embarrassing things that happened in my life, and people enjoyed my pain."
Meanwhile, Homes Under The Hammer star Roberts — who underwent emergency heart surgery in 2022 — revealed to the Daily Star newspaper at the TRIC awards: "I'm like a Ninja Mutant Hero Turtle – I just eat pizzas. Domino's Mighty Meat. I'm the stomach of Domino's, not the face of it. I should worry about what I eat because I had a health scare. I need to look after myself better.
"And certainly if I get this TV show later in the year, I'll have to get super fit."
Who else is rumoured for Strictly Come Dancing 2024?
Keeling and Roberts are just the latest in a string of celebrities who are rumoured to already been in talks with Strictly producers to take part this year.
Other names include Game Of Thrones and Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham, comedian Chris McCausland, who is visually impaired, radio host Roman Kemp, Lioness football star Jill Scott, TV presenter Louis Theroux, boxer Tommy Fury and Gladiators star Nitro.
BBC newsreader Clive Myrie has previously turned down the chance to take part in Strictly. But he sparked the rumour mill by posting a video clip showcasing his moves from Clive Myrie's Caribbean Adventure and cheekily tagging the Strictly account with "What do you say @bbcstrictly? Are my moves up to par?"
This Morning chef Gino D’Acampo's name has been thrown into the mix, along with EastEnders star Shona McGarty. And Loose Women presenter Sophie Morgan was linked to the show last year, but was angered by The Sun newspaper headline "Cha Cha Chair", reporting the rumours. She hit back, saying: "I am not just a wheelchair."
Loose Women airs on weekdays from 12.30pm on ITV1.
