Saffron Barker

Saffron was born in Brighton, East Sussex, on 24 July 2000, to Darren and Wendy Barker. She has two biological brothers, Jed and Casey, and a foster brother, Jordan.{{cite news |last1=Copson |first1=Josie |title='I'm a YouTube momager – I work for my celebrity kids but never wanted fame' |url=https://www.ok.co.uk/lifestyle/wendy-barker-saffron-youtube-momager-27626882 |access-date=1 April 2023 |work=OK! |date=3 August 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230401142805/https://www.ok.co.uk/lifestyle/wendy-barker-saffron-youtube-momager-27626882 |archive-date=1 April 2023 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Badkar |first1=Aleesha |title=Strictly Come Dancing's Saffron Barker reveals home was burgled while family slept |url=https://www.womanandhome.com/life/news-entertainment/saffron-barker-reveals-home-burglary-340288/ |access-date=1 April 2023 |work=Woman & Home |date=19 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119144340/https://www.womanandhome.com/life/news-entertainment/saffron-barker-reveals-home-burglary-340288/ |archive-date=19 November 2019 |language=en}} She attended Longhill High School in Rottingdean.{{cite news |last1=Walker |first1=Jamie |title='I want to win Strictly,' says Saffron Barker |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/17917583.i-want-win-strictly--says-saffron-barker/ |access-date=1 April 2023 |work=The Argus |date=21 September 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230401162126/https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/17917583.i-want-win-strictly--says-saffron-barker/ |archive-date=1 April 2023 |language=en}}

Barker was a member of four-piece girl band Born2Blush with bandmates Libby Whitehouse, Jazmine Tiley and Georgia McNamara.{{cite news |title=Born2Blush in national final for second year running |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/11737338.born2blush-in-national-final-for-second-year-running/ |access-date=30 March 2023 |work=The Argus |date=21 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414230958/https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/11737338.born2blush-in-national-final-for-second-year-running/ |archive-date=14 April 2021 |language=en}} The group disbanded when she was 15-years-old, which saw her "left devastated", but it ultimately led to her opening a YouTube channel.{{cite news |last1=Lavender |first1=Jane |title=Strictly's Saffron Barker's secret celeb career that kickstarted her YouTube channel |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/strictlys-saffron-barkers-secret-celeb-20818247 |access-date=30 March 2023 |work=Daily Mirror |date=9 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109205749/https://mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/strictlys-saffron-barkers-secret-celeb-20818247 |archive-date=9 November 2019 |language=en}} Barker subsequently opened her self-titled YouTube account on 30 July 2015, where she still continues to create content about lifestyle and beauty, fashion and fitness.{{cite web |title=Saffron Barker's YouTube Stats (Summary Profile) |url=https://socialblade.com/youtube/c/saffronbarker |website=Social Blade |access-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818000935/https://socialblade.com/youtube/c/saffronbarker |archive-date=18 August 2021 |language=en}} On 27 October 2015, she opened a side channel, solely dedicated to video blogging.{{cite web |title=SaffronBarkerVlogs's YouTube Stats (Summary Profile) |url=https://socialblade.com/youtube/c/saffronbarkervlogs |website=Social Blade |access-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230330131125/https://socialblade.com/youtube/c/saffronbarkervlogs |archive-date=30 March 2023 |language=en}} Barker has over 2 million subscribers on her main channel.{{cite news |last1=Chambers |first1=Georgia |title=Who is Saffron Barker? The YouTube star confirmed in Strictly line up 2019 |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/who-is-saffron-barker-youtube-subscribers-strictly-come-dancing-contestant-a4203001.html |access-date=30 March 2023 |work=Evening Standard |date=1 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802150711/https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/who-is-saffron-barker-youtube-subscribers-strictly-come-dancing-contestant-a4203001.html |archive-date=2 August 2019 |language=en}}

In March 2017, Saffron represented the United Kingdom in Nickelodeon's first-ever 'Social Squad of Influencers' at the 2017 Kids' Choice Awards in Los Angeles, California.{{cite news |last1=Velasco |first1=Haley |title=Nickelodeon International to deploy 'Social Squad' of influencers at Kids' Choice Awards |url=https://www.thedrum.com/news/2017/03/03/nickelodeon-international-deploy-social-squad-influencers-kids-choice-awards |access-date=30 March 2023 |work=The Drum |date=3 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303163325/https://www.thedrum.com/news/2017/03/03/nickelodeon-international-deploy-social-squad-influencers-kids-choice-awards |archive-date=3 March 2017 |language=en}} In April, Barker and her family presented an original and exclusive six-episode series titled In My Day for television and video on demand service TalkTalk TV.{{cite news |last1=Cable |first1=Simon |title=The 9 YouTube stars you need to know about – and how they hit the big time |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tech/9-youtube-stars-you-need-10246589 |access-date=29 March 2023 |work=Daily Mirror |date=21 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421140037/https://www.mirror.co.uk/tech/9-youtube-stars-you-need-10246589 |archive-date=21 April 2017 |language=en}} On 6 December 2017, she featured in YouTube's annual YouTube Rewind video.{{cite news |last1=Brinnard |first1=AJ |title=YouTubers Star In YouTube Rewind 2017 |url=https://teneightymagazine.com/2017/12/06/youtubers-star-in-youtube-rewind-2017/ |access-date=1 April 2023 |work=TenEighty |date=6 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210130714/https://teneightymagazine.com/2017/12/06/youtubers-star-in-youtube-rewind-2017/ |archive-date=10 December 2017 |language=en}} One year later, on 9 March 2018, she was named Nickelodeon's UK representative of their KCA PrankStars, a collective of digital influencers chosen to partake in a prank war at the 2018 Kids' Choice Awards in Inglewood, California.{{cite news |last1=Dickson |first1=Jeremy |title=Nickelodeon launches influencer-driven prank campaign |url=https://kidscreen.com/2018/03/09/nickelodeon-launches-influencer-driven-prank-campaign/ |access-date=31 March 2023 |work=Kidscreen |date=9 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311152141/https://kidscreen.com/2018/03/09/nickelodeon-launches-influencer-driven-prank-campaign/ |archive-date=11 March 2018 |language=en}}

On 1 August 2019, in an interview with Heart Radio, Saffron confirmed that she would be appearing as a contestant on the seventeenth series of BBC dance contest Strictly Come Dancing.{{cite news |title=YouTube star Saffron Barker CONFIRMED for Strictly Come Dancing and admits she's 'scared' of public reaction |url=https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/tv-movies/strictly-come-dancing/saffron-barker-confirmed-scared/ |access-date=30 March 2023 |work=Heart |date=1 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801093720/https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/tv-movies/strictly-come-dancing/saffron-barker-confirmed-scared/ |archive-date=1 August 2019 |language=en}} She marked the second social media personality to take part in the competition's history after Joe Sugg.{{cite news |title=Strictly Come Dancing 2019 contestants: who is left in the competition and who has been eliminated so far? |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/strictly-come-dancing-2019-contestants-who-left-eliminated-celebrities/saffron-barker/ |access-date=30 March 2023 |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=3 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103180844/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/strictly-come-dancing-2019-contestants-who-left-eliminated-celebrities/saffron-barker/ |archive-date=3 November 2019 |language=en}} Barker's dance partner was Britain's Got Talent series seven contestant, AJ Pritchard. They were eliminated ten weeks in to the competition, on 24 November 2019, after facing Karim Zeroual and Amy Dowden in the dance-off.{{cite news |last1=Harrison |first1=Ellie |title=Strictly Come Dancing: Saffron Barker eliminated from BBC competition |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/strictly-come-dancing-results-saffron-barker-eliminated-aj-pritchard-a9216021.html |url-access=limited |access-date=18 August 2023 |work=The Independent |date=27 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127225534/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/strictly-come-dancing-results-saffron-barker-eliminated-aj-pritchard-a9216021.html |archive-date=27 November 2019 |url-status=live }}

In March 2020, Barker appeared on a one-off special edition of The Greatest Dancer for Sport Relief 2020, as a member of dance troupe Don8. Her team won against Team Encore.{{cite news |last1=Hogan |first1=Michael |title=Sport Relief best bits: Killing Eve and Line of Duty sketches are pick of charity telethon |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2020/03/13/sport-relief-best-bits-killing-eve-line-duty-sketches-pick-charity/ |access-date=1 April 2023 |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=13 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200314093157/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2020/03/13/sport-relief-best-bits-killing-eve-line-duty-sketches-pick-charity/ |archive-date=14 March 2020 |language=en}} Nine months later, in December, Barker was announced as one of the 12 contestants to appear on The Celebrity Circle. It aired in March 2021, and saw Barker play as a single version of herself, instead of catfishing as someone else.{{cite news |last1=Woolston |first1=Hope |title=The Celebrity Circle: Why 'single' Saffron Barker lied about boyfriend Tyler Dixon in relationship status |url=https://www.sussexlive.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/celebrity-circle-single-saffron-barker-5116498 |access-date=31 March 2023 |work=Sussex Live |date=10 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310155433/https://www.sussexlive.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/celebrity-circle-single-saffron-barker-5116498 |archive-date=10 March 2021 |language=en}} She was named the runner-up, as Lady Leshurr won the show after catfishing as British rapper Big Narstie.{{cite news |last1=Wakefield |first1=Lily |title=Lady Leshurr pays tearful tribute to late sister after winning The Celebrity Circle as a catfish |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2021/03/16/lady-leshurr-song-queens-speech-2-celebrity-circle-sister/ |access-date=31 March 2023 |work=PinkNews |date=16 March 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230331020213/https://www.thepinknews.com/2021/03/16/lady-leshurr-song-queens-speech-2-celebrity-circle-sister/ |archive-date=31 March 2023 |language=en}}

In January 2022, Barker appeared as a contestant an episode of BBC One's The Wheel, hosted by Michael McIntyre.{{cite news |last1=Carey |first1=Rebecca |title=Melvin Odoom tops leaderboard on BBC's The Wheel – How the celebs ranked |url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/19850975.melvin-odoom-ranks-top-expert-bbcs-wheel---see-full-list/ |access-date=31 March 2023 |work=Bournemouth Echo |date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230331195902/https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/19850975.melvin-odoom-ranks-top-expert-bbcs-wheel---see-full-list/ |archive-date=31 March 2023 |language=en}} One month later, in February, she appeared as a contestant on E4's The Real Dirty Dancing, a talent show hosted by Keith Lemon and Ashley Roberts, where ten celebrities paired up in couples to learn dance routines from Dirty Dancing.{{cite news |last1=Morris |first1=Lauren |title=Meet the celebrity cast of E4's The Real Dirty Dancing |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/real-dirty-dancing-e4-cast/ |access-date=31 March 2023 |work=Radio Times |date=21 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221173626/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/real-dirty-dancing-e4-cast/ |archive-date=21 February 2022 |language=en}} Barker's dance partner was Lee Ryan, and they were named the winners of the competition.{{cite news |last1=Brinsford |first1=James |title=Strictly star Saffron Barker is unrecognisable after pink hair transformation |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/strictly-star-saffron-barker-unrecognisable-26768737 |access-date=5 July 2023 |work=Daily Mirror |date=21 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421212432/https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/strictly-star-saffron-barker-unrecognisable-26768737 |archive-date=21 April 2022}}

In March 2023, Barker appeared in the fifth series of Channel 4's Celebrity Hunted, where she was paired up with former University Challenge contestant and mathematician Bobby Seagull.{{cite news |last1=Blackburn |first1=Tom |title=Celebrity Hunted 2023 – full line-up as Channel 4 reality game show returns for new series |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/celebrity-hunted-2023-full-line-26570952 |access-date=1 April 2023 |work=Birmingham Mail |date=28 March 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230401005505/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/celebrity-hunted-2023-full-line-26570952#selection-819.0-819.90 |archive-date=1 April 2023 |language=en}} Barker and Seagull had 48 hours left before reaching the extraction point, but decided to split up. Barker got caught by the Hunters after a member of the public told them her exact whereabouts.{{cite news |last1=Mitchell |first1=Harriet |title=Celebrity Hunted finale ends with first-of-its-kind twist |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a43773981/celebrity-hunted-finale-twist/ |access-date=5 June 2023 |work=Digital Spy |date=2 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503132221/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a43773981/celebrity-hunted-finale-twist/ |archive-date=3 May 2023 |language=en}}

In October 2017, Barker launched a homeware, stationery, and loungewear range with Irish fashion retailer Primark.{{cite news |last1=Garfield |first1=Amber |title=Primark team up with YouTube star Saffron Barker to launch a home and loungewear range – and it's adorable |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/style/celebrity-fashion/primark-team-up-youtube-star-11350527 |access-date=30 March 2023 |work=Daily Mirror |date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023132515/https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/style/celebrity-fashion/primark-team-up-youtube-star-11350527 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |language=en}} In May 2020, she launched a loungewear range with In The Style.{{cite news |last1=Bain |first1=Ellissa |title=In The Style: When can I buy Saffron Barker's new range? |url=https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2020/05/28/in-the-style-when-can-i-buy-saffron-barkers-new-range/ |access-date=30 March 2023 |work=HITC |date=28 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608123353/https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2020/05/28/in-the-style-when-can-i-buy-saffron-barkers-new-range/ |archive-date=8 June 2020 |language=en}}

In November 2020, Saffron tried her hand at podcast hosting for the first time, in a weekly podcast which she co-hosted with her mother, Wendy Barker, titled "Mum Made Me Do It".{{cite news |last1=Pewsey |first1=Guy |title=Saffron Barker Teams Up With Her Mum Wendy For New Podcast |url=https://graziadaily.co.uk/celebrity/news/saffron-barker-podcast-wendy-mum/ |access-date=29 March 2023 |work=Grazia |date=13 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113111621/https://graziadaily.co.uk/celebrity/news/saffron-barker-podcast-wendy-mum/ |archive-date=13 November 2020 |language=en}} It was created and published by Global Player and ran for a total of eight months, with the final episode being broadcast on 28 May 2021.{{cite web |title=Mum Made Me Do It With Saffron Barker |url=https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42KsrR/ |website=Global Player |access-date=29 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014022112/https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42KsrR/ |archive-date=14 October 2022}} Barker made her return to podcasting in October 2022, when she started hosting a new Spotify original podcast, titled "Sex, Lies & DM Slides" with her close friend Anastasia Kingsnorth, where they discuss "the cringey, the cute and the outright awkward".{{cite web |title=Introducing: Sex, Lies and DM Slides with Anastasia Kingsnorth and Saffron Barker |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/1VpwieHlwgfgINykpXEEFZ |website=Spotify |access-date=29 March 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230329191026/https://open.spotify.com/episode/1VpwieHlwgfgINykpXEEFZ |archive-date=29 March 2023 |date=October 2022}}

In April 2019, Saffron ran the 2019 London Marathon with her friend and personal trainer, Ross Scrivener, to fundraise for Alzheimer's Research UK and Alzheimer's Society's 'Dementia Revolution' campaign in memory of her great-grandfather, who died of Alzheimer's disease when she was 11 years old.{{cite news |last1=Williamson |first1=Sarah |title=Saffron Barker To Run London Marathon For Dementia Revolution |url=https://teneightymagazine.com/2018/12/28/saffron-barker-to-run-london-marathon-for-dementia-revolution/ |access-date=30 March 2023 |work=TenEighty |date=28 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919132051/https://teneightymagazine.com/2018/12/28/saffron-barker-to-run-london-marathon-for-dementia-revolution/ |archive-date=19 September 2020 |language=en}}

During the coronavirus pandemic in April 2020, Barker launched the #YouTube4NHSHeroes charity project, where she donated all of her monthly advertising revenue from her weekly videos directly to the NHS' "Charities Together COVID-10" appeal. She encouraged other content creators to do the same by uploading a video of their choice and also pledging their ad revenue to the cause for a 'Super Saturday' fundraising event, in hopes that viewers would watch the videos and advertisements to boost the donated amount.{{cite news |author1=Grazia |title=Saffron Barker: Why She Is Donating Her Ad Income To The NHS |url=https://graziadaily.co.uk/celebrity/news/saffron-barker-youtube-nhs/ |access-date=29 March 2023 |work=Grazia |date=8 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409084555/https://graziadaily.co.uk/celebrity/news/saffron-barker-youtube-nhs/ |archive-date=9 April 2020 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Sulway |first1=Verity |title=Saffron Barker launches campaign to raise money for the NHS – in the simplest way |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/saffron-barker-launches-campaign-raise-21846864 |access-date=29 March 2023 |work=Daily Mirror |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410151253/https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/saffron-barker-launches-campaign-raise-21846864 |archive-date=10 April 2020 |language=en}} In the same month, Barker was one of the many UK-based social media personalities to present the four-hour long "#WithMe" YouTube livestream, discussing tips on 'how to stay upbeat through lockdown', whilst raising money for the NHS Charities Together partnership. She was joined virtually by AJ Pritchard and Curtis Pritchard.{{cite news |title=Saffron Barker among YouTubers fundraising for NHS with lockdown livestream |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-52460083 |access-date=18 August 2023 |work=BBC News |date=30 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430040145/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-52460083 |archive-date=30 April 2020 |url-status=live }}

In September 2020, Barker supported the Digital Detox Day campaign which encouraged internet users to take time off social media for 24 hours. It was held on Saturday, 5 September 2020.{{cite news |last1=Kent |first1=Sara-Aisha |title=Rita Ora and Jade Thirlwall lead famous faces going offline for Digital Detox day |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/rita-ora-jade-thirlwall-lead-22632288 |access-date=1 April 2023 |work=Daily Mirror |date=4 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200906201713/https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/rita-ora-jade-thirlwall-lead-22632288 |archive-date=6 September 2020 |language=en}} In November 2020, she surprised a 16-year-old autistic young carer from the Isle of Sheppey, who suffers with OCD and severe anxiety, with a National Lottery Award via video message.{{cite news |last1=McPolin |first1=Sean |title=YouTuber Saffron Barker surprised Isle of Sheppey carer with lottery award |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/sheerness/news/carer-given-young-hero-award-by-youtuber-237671/ |access-date=30 March 2023 |work=Kent Online |date=19 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129173112/https://www.kentonline.co.uk/sheerness/news/carer-given-young-hero-award-by-youtuber-237671/ |archive-date=29 November 2020 |language=en}}

Barker resides in Brighton, East Sussex{{cite news |last1=Marshall |first1=Olivia |title=Fatboy Slim, Piers Morgan, Holly Willoughby and Saffron Barker show support for Ukraine |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/fatboy-slim-piers-morgan-holly-111940836.html |access-date=1 April 2023 |work=Yahoo! News |date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225165603/https://uk.news.yahoo.com/fatboy-slim-piers-morgan-holly-111940836.html |archive-date=25 February 2022 |language=en}} and previously lived in Woodingdean with her family.{{cite news |last1=Marshall |first1=Olivia |title=Strictly star Saffron Barker to leave £800,000 family home |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/18900179.strictly-star-saffron-barker-leave-800-000-family-home/ |access-date=1 April 2023 |work=The Argus |date=26 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126142435/https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/18900179.strictly-star-saffron-barker-leave-800-000-family-home/ |archive-date=26 November 2020 |language=en}} She did not attend college, as she wanted to pursue her YouTube career instead.{{cite news |last1=Calvert |first1=Gemma |title=Saffron Barker on Tackling Trolls and Believing in Yourself |url=https://happiful.com/saffron-barker-on-tackling-trolls-and-believing-in-yourself/ |access-date=1 April 2023 |work=Happiful |date=17 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925073410/https://happiful.com/saffron-barker-on-tackling-trolls-and-believing-in-yourself/ |archive-date=25 September 2020 |language=en}}

She was in a relationship with rugby player Louis Rees-Zammit, which ended in 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/louis-rees-zammit-dating-social-28087900|title=Louis Rees-Zammit dating social media influencer and Strictly contestant|date=11 November 2023|website=Wales Online}}{{cite web | url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/louis-rees-zammit-officially-splits-28862362 | title=Louis Rees-Zammit officially splits with Saffron Barker as statement issued | date=21 March 2024 }}

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Category:21st-century English women

Category:2000 births

Category:Beauty and makeup YouTubers

Category:English women bloggers

Category:English video bloggers

Category:Lifestyle YouTubers

Category:Living people

Category:YouTubers from Brighton and Hove

Category:British YouTube vloggers