An ITV show starring GK Barry and Reverend Richard Coles has reportedly been dropped by the network after the duo filmed the pilot episode for the series
GK Barry and Reverend Richard were set to star in their own series(Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
GK Barry and Reverend Richard Coles’ I’m A Celeb spin-off has reportedly been axed. The unlikely duo who became close friends when they appeared on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2024, were expected to explore topics around life and death.
During their time in the Australian jungle, GK, who found fame online, and Church of England vicar Richard instantly struck up a bond and became inseparable, and a fan-favourite duo.
Last year, GK confirmed that the project was in the works and revealed that the pilot episode had already been filmed. But ITV has decided not to go ahead with the full series.
“There were high hopes for the project because producers were excited by the dynamic between GK and Richard, not least because it seemed to amuse viewers,” a source said.
They added to The Sun: “They enjoyed the idea of the wise older man interacting with the streetwise millennial as they explored some pretty deep subjects.
“But after provisional filming took place, it was decided not to proceed with it as a series, much to the disappointment of everyone involved.”
Speaking last year, GK hinted that she would even rope her footballer girlfriend, Ella Rutherford, into the show. She told Attitude Magazine : “We are exploring walks of life from two different generations — one from a gay godly man and a gay ungodly woman.
“There are some depressing bits in there, but one thing about me is that I will make a joke about it.” She went on to add: “We’ve filmed the pilot, so if we film the full series, then I will force this girl into it.”
Richard went on to say: “Me and GK struck up the best of friendships and I’m happy to say we’ve taken that with us out of the jungle into the wider world.” But he later joked that viewers could see something “surprising with coffins.”
And GK even said on social media that it had been “a dream” working with Reverend Richard on the show. On Instagram, the influencer said: “Working with you has opened my eyes to worlds I’d never heard of or dreamt of before.
“Some of them have been nightmares, but some of them have been dreams — and today has been a dream.” Sadly, it remains unclear why ITV bosses decided to pull the show after shooting the pilot episode.
During her stint in the jungle, GK opened up about her experience and said that she hadn’t expected to become close with Richard before they became friends. Speaking in the Bush Telegraph, she said: “I came into this jungle maybe not knowing who I would gel with or who I would be close with in here, and never in a million years if you told me that I would be getting on best with a reverend would I have believed you.
“But, he is honestly… I think he might be my favourite person in here.” Meanwhile, Richard said of their bond: “We got on so well and it was such an unlikely friendship and people seemed to enjoy it.
“I like visiting her world and trying to figure out what’s going on and I think she quite likes visiting my world, so maybe a little trip together would be fun to do. I love the TV reality format because you always have a ‘bromance’, but I’ve never had a bromance with a 25-year-old lesbian before, and that’s great.”
The Mirror has approached ITV for comment.
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