GK Barry forced apology to Tottenham with controversial comment before BBC cameo

GK Barry found herself at the centre of controversy, including a comment that forced an apology to Tottenham

GK Barry’s comment about Tottenham Hotspur led the Women’s Super League to issue an apology to the club. The popular internet personality is set to appear on Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel on BBC One on Saturday alongside the likes of Chris McCausland, Gabby Logan and Iain Stirling.

She sparked controversy last year while conducting the Women’s League Cup quarter-final and semi-final draws. The 26-year-old, real name Grace Keeling, carried out the live draw alongside her partner, Portsmouth attacking midfielder Ella Rutherford, with it being broadcast on WSL Football’s TikTok page.

However, her behaviour landed her in hot water after making several crude jokes, including a comment about Tottenham. An apology from the WSL was issued to the north London club following the controversial draw.

She also drew a ball from the bag, only to drop it back in accidentally, then removed it once more to be used as part of the official draw. When pulling out a ball with Tottenham’s name on it, Grace asked the viewers: “What do we think of Tottenham?”

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The comment was in reference to the anti-Spurs chant sung by Arsenal supporters. An adjudicator was present at the draw and confirmed that the ball she took out for a second time – which revealed the home side in the first semi-final – was the same ball she dropped.

READ MORE: Loose Women star defends GK Barry in furious rant after League Cup outrageREAD MORE: I’m a Celebrity star causes fury with X-rated comments during League Cup draw

WSL Football later confirmed that if the number hadn’t been the same, her blunder would have necessitated the draw being restarted. She has become a mainstay of reality television in the UK, having appeared on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2024.

In the same year, she joined Loose Women, becoming the youngest regular panel member in the ITV show’s 25-year history. Following the WSL incident, she received support from her Loose Women colleague Denise Welch on Instagram.

Responding to a video about the criticism she and her partner faced, Welch said: “For goodness sake!!! Don’t book Grace then!!!

“It’s exactly what she does. She’s never going to be a regular football pundit!! It’s like booking Alan Carr and complaining he was too camp!!!”

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