'I used to be nervous to talk to anyone

Tik Tok sensation Grace Keeling on overcoming her shyness to launch a hit podcast, becoming Loose Women's youngest [ panellist and presenting from the Pride of Britain red carpet

- KENZI DEVINE

With almost five million followers across her social media platforms, Grace Keeling has redefined what it means to be a successful influencer. But while the 25-year-old, best known by her catchy online handle GK Barry, appears to be bursting with confidence online, when she sits down for an exclusive chat with new, she admits she hasn't always been so bubbly.

"I used to be really nervous, to do anything or talk to anyone - but everything that I'm doing is pushing me out of my comfort zone and building my confidence," she confides.

Grace, who rose to fame thanks to her viral Tik Tok videos, now boasts a slot on the Loose Women panel, welcomes top stars onto her hit podcast and will soon have a second presenting gig on the Pride of Britain Awards red carpet.

It's been quite a wild ride. Four years ago, she was working at Costa Coffee and trying to figure out where to go with her career.

Now a household name, she admits her fame has not only given her a community, but also boosted her independence.

"When I first started this journey, I wouldn't even get on public transport on my own.

I wouldn't really speak to people, I was just too nervous to do any of that. Now I'm hopping on the Tube on my own, I'm interviewing everyone under the sun... it's really made me a lot more independent and confident. It's all quite surreal," says Grace.