ITV has reportedly dropped the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! spin-off starring GK Barry and Reverend Richard Coles after the duo filmed only a pilot episode. The series, which was expected to explore topics around life and death, was axed despite high hopes from producers.
Unlikely Duo's Friendship Sparked Show Idea
GK Barry, a social media influencer, and Richard Coles, a Church of England vicar, became close friends during their time in the Australian jungle in 2024. Their instant bond made them a fan-favourite duo. Last year, GK confirmed the project was in development and revealed the pilot had already been filmed.
Source Reveals Disappointment
“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 told 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.”
GK Barry's Vision for the Show
Speaking to Attitude Magazine last year, GK said: “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 added that she planned to involve her footballer girlfriend, Ella Rutherford, in the series. “We've filmed the pilot, so if we film the full series, then I will force this girl into it.”
Richard Coles on Their Friendship
Richard commented: “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.” He joked that viewers could see something “surprising with coffins.” GK also expressed her joy on Instagram, saying: “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.”
Reasons for Axing Unclear
It remains unclear why ITV bosses decided to pull the show after shooting the pilot. During her jungle stint, GK reflected on her unlikely friendship with Richard, saying: “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.” Richard added: “We got on so well and it was such an unlikely friendship and people seemed to enjoy it. 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.
