Ella Rutherford and GK Barry
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Ella Rutherford reveals ‘mental health hell’ during time apart from girlfriend GK Barry

Ella admitted she was a 'shell of herself'

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GK Barry and her girlfriend Ella have been taking their relationship to new levels with the arrival of a fur-covered new addition to their family unit. But despite the wonderful news, Ella has admitted that it hasn’t all been sunshine in their romance.

The loved-up couple discussed their struggles in a recent episode of GK’s Saving Grace podcast…

GK Barry posing
Grace starred in the 2024 I’m A Celeb jungle (Credit: Brett D. Cove)

Ella ‘eyelashes’ Rutherford shares mental health ‘hell’

Ella, lovingly nicknamed eyelashes by her TV star girlfriend, has opened up about just how tough it was being apart from GK whilst she was in the jungle.

So much so, her mum even expressed fears for the footy pro’s mental health. The period was so difficult, Ella has even described that she was a “shell of herself” whilst Grace was in Australia.

“I tried to hold my [bleep] together, but I was actually in hell,” Ella admitted on Grace’s podcast. “I never want that to happen again – I was a shell of myself. My mum was worried about my health – my mental health.”

Ella also claimed Grace managed to “ruin” the surprise of their bridge reunion due to questioning producers over whether Ella had flown down under to meet her.

“I managed to find out that Ella had flown over. Before I left, I didn’t know if she was coming or not because if she was allowed from football,” Grace detailed.

Discussing their reunion, Ella recalled the bitter-sweet moment where Grace questioned their relationship: “I was quite sad though, like good sad. And the first thing you said when you stepped off was: ‘Do you still love me?’ And I was like: ‘I’m literally here.'”

GK then candidly admitted: “When I was in there, I was having dreams that you were cheating on me and all sorts – I didn’t know what you were doing.”

Ella reassured her: “Babe, little did you know, I was crying and crying again in my bed. Every night I was getting the cats and dogs into the bed just to fill the void.”

GK Barry and girlfriend Ella share big news

In a string of sweet snaps shared to Instagram this week, GK Barry told her followers that she has been keeping a little secret. She and her footy star girlfriend have welcomed a bundle of joy – the furry kind!

Writing to her followers, Grace penned: “Meet our son Noodle the Toy Poodle. We’ve had him for a while but this is the official hard launch.”

Ella and Grace could be seen smiling as they stood side by side as the happy parents of Noodle, a cute little toy-size poodle with fluffy brown curls.

Meet our son Noodle the Toy Poodle.

Of course, those who have been keeping up with the pair are thrilled, including GK’s I’m A Celeb and Loose Women co-stars.

IAC campmate Melvin Odoom commented: “Happy New Year GK.”

Ruth Langsford gushed in the comments: “What a cutie!”

Dean McCullough chimed in: “I can’t cope with him.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Grace (@gkbarry_)

GK Barry ‘hard launches’ new arrival

In the selection of photos showing off Noodle’s antics, one image showed Grace’s I’m A Celeb pal Reverend Richard Coles cuddling up with the pampered pooch – awww!

GK Barry smiling on I'm A Celeb
GK struck up a close friendship with Richard Coles in the jungle (Credit: ITV)

GK Barry and Ella Rutherford met via Instagram and have been dating for several months. Grace followed Ella, who is a striker for Ipswich Town, leading Ella to slide into Grace’s DMs and the rest is history.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ER (@ellarutherford_)

In wake of GK Barry leaving the I’m A Celeb jungle, Ella shared a heartfelt message to social media where she praised her podcast star girlfriend and her efforts on the reality TV show. Ella wrote: “You made us all so proud, beautiful. I love you with all my heart, I have everything I’ll ever need.”

The striker also described Grace as her “wife”, leaving fans clamouring for Ella to actually propose!

Could wedding bells be ringing for GK Barry in the near future?

Read more: I’m A Celeb’s GK Barry reveals show’s ‘depressing’ off-camera smoking area

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So, what do you think of Grace’s new arrival? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know.


Emily Towers
TV & Showbiz Writer
Emily loves to write about the latest trending news, whether it’s reality TV chaos or Royal drama. She also has a passion for translating editorial content into share-worthy social media posts after spending two years as a social media manager and marketing executive.

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