GK Barry kept her girlfriend’s identity secret when the relationship began in 2024. Within months, fans had worked out that the woman she called “Eyelashes” was professional footballer Ella Rutherford.
The woman behind the nickname
GK Barry, whose real name is Grace Eleanor Keeling, first discussed her new relationship on her Saving Grace podcast in May 2024. At the time, she deliberately avoided naming her girlfriend and instead used the nickname “Eyelashes.”
Barry said she was in love and described the relationship as something that had changed how she viewed her previous dating experiences. The identity was not officially disclosed at that point, but online speculation quickly focused on footballer Ella Rutherford.
The mystery did not last long.
By the summer of 2024, Barry and Rutherford were publicly linked, and Rutherford began appearing in posts connected with Barry. Multiple reports subsequently identified the footballer as Barry’s girlfriend.
Who is Ella Rutherford?
Ella Rutherford is an English professional footballer. She has played as a forward or attacking midfielder and developed through the women’s football system in England.
Her early career included Millwall’s youth setup. She later played for Bristol City and had loan spells with Crystal Palace and Leicester City before continuing her senior career elsewhere. She has also represented England at youth level.
That career is important because Rutherford is not simply known because of her relationship with Barry. She had already built a professional football career before becoming widely recognised by Barry’s millions of followers.
How did GK Barry and Ella Rutherford meet?
The basic timeline is now relatively clear.
Barry and Rutherford connected through Instagram in 2024. Reports based on conversations between the couple say Barry initially followed Rutherford, after which Rutherford contacted her directly. Rutherford later revealed on Barry’s podcast that she sent Barry a flirtatious message complimenting her appearance.
Their relationship developed quickly.
Rutherford reportedly arranged a romantic gesture when the pair became official, decorating Barry’s room with photographs and rose petals. The story was later discussed publicly, giving fans a rare glimpse into how the relationship moved from social-media messages to something much more serious.
When did they become a couple?
The exact first date is not completely consistent across published reports, so it is better not to present one precise date as established fact.
What is documented is that Barry was talking publicly about dating a female footballer in May 2024, while later reports place the relationship around that period. By August 2024, the relationship had effectively become public.
No official source supports claims that the pair secretly married during that period. Some of the speculation came from Barry jokingly describing herself as a WAG and referring to Rutherford in affectionate terms. Later reporting made clear that such language was not confirmation of a marriage.
GK Barry’s coming-out story
The relationship also became an important part of Barry’s public story.
While appearing on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2024, Barry explained to her campmates that she had previously dated men but had fallen for Ella. She also described how casually she eventually told her parents that Ella was her girlfriend.
According to Barry’s account, her parents had already heard Ella’s name because Barry had described her as a friend. When they eventually asked who Ella was, Barry simply explained that she was her girlfriend.
The reaction, she said, was supportive.
Her story later became part of wider coverage of LGBTQ+ representation, although Barry has also said she did not initially intend to become a public figure for that reason.
Their relationship became more public
For a couple that initially wanted privacy, Barry and Rutherford gradually became increasingly visible together.
In 2025, the pair were photographed and reported on together, including appearances connected with women’s football. The Independent also identified Rutherford as Barry’s girlfriend when the two took part in the Women’s League Cup draw in November 2025.
Rutherford has also spoken positively about Barry. In an interview reported by DIVA, she described Barry as an important source of support and said their relationship had had a positive effect on her life.
By 2026, the relationship was still being publicly described as ongoing. A March 2026 report from the Press Association noted Rutherford helping Barry prepare for her Soccer Aid appearance by training with her in the garden.
Are GK Barry and Ella Rutherford still together?
The available reporting in 2026 continues to identify Ella Rutherford as GK Barry’s partner. PinkNews, reporting in March 2026, described the pair as having been together since May 2024 and identified Rutherford as Barry’s footballer girlfriend.
There have also been reports about possible future marriage plans. In 2025, Barry discussed the possibility of proposing to Rutherford, but a proposal should not be confused with an engagement or marriage. No official announcement confirming a wedding has been established by the sources reviewed here.
The mystery is no longer much of a mystery
The answer to “GK Barry girlfriend” is therefore fairly straightforward: Ella Rutherford, the English professional footballer.
What began as a relationship Barry tried to keep anonymous became public through her podcast, social media and television appearances. The “Eyelashes” mystery eventually had a name, a football career and a relationship timeline behind it.
The important distinction is that much of the early speculation came from fans, while the relationship itself was later confirmed through the couple’s own public comments and appearances. As of the latest 2026 reporting reviewed for this article, Barry and Rutherford continue to be publicly described as a couple.
Author Bio:
Written by [Journalist Name], a celebrity and human-interest journalist covering public figures, relationships and entertainment culture. Their work focuses on separating documented facts from online speculation.
