NearlyParents Podcast: GK Barry & Ella Rutherford – From Flirty DMs to MARRIAGE?!
Date: October 19, 2025
Hosts: Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo
Guests: GK Barry (Grace) & Ella Rutherford
Production: JamPot Productions
Episode Overview
This episode of NearlyParents is bursting with laughs, real-talk moments, and candid relationship confessions as Jamie and Sophie celebrate Sophie's birthday and welcome internet star GK Barry and footballer girlfriend Ella Rutherford. What starts as playful banter quickly shifts into an unfiltered conversation about flirty DMs, moving in together after a day, modern love languages, lesbian relationship dynamics, coming out, football careers, and the reality of considering marriage and parenthood.
Key Topics and Segment Highlights
1. Birthday Banter and Pregnant Revelations
[03:00–14:30]
- Sophie celebrates her 28th birthday—lots of jokes about Vampire Diaries crushes and Jamie’s penchant for buying funny gifts (pregnancy belly casting kit, vaginal tightening cream).
- Jamie expresses sincere love for Sophie, touching on how their relationship is deep beneath the playful surface:
“Underneath all of that funny banter... is this, like, deep love that I cannot describe that I have for you.” —Jamie [08:28]
- Sophie reflects on impending parenthood and the bittersweet “lasts” as a childless couple:
“Every day...this is the last coffee...the last time we're gonna walk down the street, just the two of us.” —Sophie [12:37]
- Emotional voice notes from friends and family wishing Sophie a happy birthday and celebrating her transition to motherhood [13:25–15:25].
2. Introducing GK Barry & Ella Rutherford
[16:53–20:19]
- Jamie and Sophie geek out over having Grace (GK Barry) and Ella on the show, calling them “by far my most excited I've ever been for a guest.” –Sophie [20:11]
- Grace admits she’s more comfortable behind a mic than on camera, while Ella jokes about feeling “very out of me depth” when joining Grace at public events.
3. The Origin Story: Instagram DMs & Fast Love
[21:40–24:47]
- Grace followed Ella on Instagram after her friend set them up. Ella recalls:
“I was bored one night...restless, couldn't sleep. And I was like, I'm just gonna message you.” —Ella [22:46]
- The first flirty DM: "Is now a good time to tell you how beautiful you are?" to which Grace replied, "It's always a good time for that." [22:58]
- Playful banter about misunderstanding tone over texts (“you’re a pest” sent with a wink, but almost leading to a falling-out) [23:39].
- Moving in together practically after the first day—playful but very real:
“I met Ella and after an hour, I was in love.” —Grace [26:17]
“Even the first day you came to my house, we had a sleepover...[then] you went and got your stuff, and then we just lived together after that.” —Grace [26:39], Ella [26:51]
4. Relationship Dynamics: Arguments, Emotional Intelligence & Coming Out
[27:15–36:44]
- Discussion on lesbian relationships: easier emotional understanding, quickly moving in, but also arguments are “cat fights” and intense due to both being emotionally tuned in [26:00–28:06].
- Women outmatch men in emotional intelligence during arguments:
“Men play dumb because they can't be bothered to have the confrontation. Females, we know we are clever emotionally. So there's no acting dumb.” —Ella [30:57]
- Sharing their coming out journeys:
- Grace’s process was casual, introducing Ella to family within weeks—family accepted immediately.
- Ella’s was more complicated, with initial secrecy and anxiety, especially coming out as a teen.
“I struggled a little bit with my sexuality...I had to over compensate and be like, I really fancy this boy in my class, Mum.” —Ella [36:12]
“Once my family accepted it, it made it so much easier for me.” —Ella [36:31]
- Encouraging others:
“I'd like the world to get to a place where this whole coming-out thing just wasn't necessary...When you're ready, you'll do it.” —Ella [37:09]
5. Careers, Passion, and Support
[38:15–41:15]
- Ella recounts her football career—playing since childhood, injuries threatening her career, and Grace’s crucial role in rehab motivation:
“If it weren’t for Grace, I would have probably just sucked it in...she was such a breath of fresh air.” —Ella [39:09]
- Grace gushes over watching Ella play (“it's so hot!” [40:15]) and the thrill of seeing her partner do what she loves.
6. Marriage, Proposals & Family Planning
[42:55–45:40]
- Discussion on engagement and marriage:
- Ella wants a ring and is ready; Grace is keen to wait and make the proposal special ("I don't want to propose in England. I want to propose in a place that we love, abroad." —Grace [43:21])
- Jamie recounts (with humor) his own almost-proposal mishap at a friend's wedding.
- On having children:
- Both love their dogs; Ella is more maternal (“I've grown up with niece and nephews that I adore”), Grace admits she isn’t naturally motherly:
“I don’t know how to talk to kids. I’m like, you’re right, slay queen…” —Grace [45:25]
- Both love their dogs; Ella is more maternal (“I've grown up with niece and nephews that I adore”), Grace admits she isn’t naturally motherly:
7. Success, Embarrassing Moments & Lightning Round
[46:26–51:43]
- Jamie praises both Grace and Ella for success and authenticity on social media and within LGBTQ+ visibility [46:26].
- Promo for Grace’s new show “Am I The Asshole” (out October 27th), funny stories about swearing on BBC Radio 1 and Loose Women [47:09–47:51].
- Quick-fire “Mr & Mrs”–style questions:
- Neediest: Ella [48:20]
- Starter of fights: Both admit it, but Grace “causes” them, Ella “calls her out” [48:41–49:39]
- Most embarrassing: Grace [49:45]
- Drunkest: Grace (but Ella too, during off-season) [50:27]
- Most romantic: Ella [50:52]
- Grace’s love language is cooking (sometimes questionable chicken!) [51:03]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Underneath all that funny banter...is this deep love I cannot describe.” —Jamie [08:28]
- “I met Ella and after an hour, when I’m in love.” —Grace [26:17]
- “I’d like the world to get to a place where this whole coming-out thing just wasn’t necessary.” —Ella [37:09]
- “I don’t know how to talk to kids. I’m like, ‘slay queen!’” —Grace [45:25]
- “If it weren’t for Grace, I would have probably just sucked it in...she was such a breath of fresh air.” —Ella [39:09]
- “The difference is between me and Grace, you're very high maintenance. Absolutely. Like, everything has to be a massive deal for this girl and it's fine because I'm willing to.” —Ella [43:34]
Episode Timestamps (HH:MM:SS)
- 03:00 — Birthday fun & gifts, Jamie’s heartfelt message
- 14:30 — Emotional birthday voice notes
- 16:53 — Intro: GK Barry & Ella join the podcast
- 21:40 — Grace & Ella’s first DM, moving in
- 27:15 — Relationship dynamics, arguments, emotional intelligence
- 34:57 — Coming out stories, advice for listeners
- 38:15 — Ella’s football career & Grace’s support
- 42:55 — Marriage & proposal discussion
- 45:01 — Thoughts on parenting & motherly instincts
- 46:26 — Celebrating careers, media moments, Grace’s new show
- 48:16 — Quick-fire relationship game
- 51:42 — Episode wrap-up
The Vibe & Tone
The episode is loose, hilarious, and honest—full of playful teasing, oversharing, and affectionate digs. The guests and hosts are unapologetically themselves, and beneath the jokes is genuine admiration and warmth. The discussion isn’t afraid to address serious themes (identity, coming out, relationship challenges), but always returns to supportive encouragement, humor, and love.
Perfect For: Listeners looking for an unfiltered, uplifting, and deeply relatable snapshot of modern relationships, LGBTQ+ journeys, and the chaos of adulting—with plenty of laughs and “I can’t believe they just said that!” moments.