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Saffron Barker
Barker in 2021
Born
Saffron Autumn Barker[1]

(2000-07-24) 24 July 2000 (age 24)[2]
Brighton, England
Occupations
  • Media personality
  • podcast host
  • influencer
  • author
Years active2015–present
YouTube information
Channels
Subscribers2.47 million (main)
1.07 million (vlogs)
Total views469 million (main)
205 million (vlogs)
100,000 subscribers2016
1,000,000 subscribers2017
Last updated: 5 June 2023

Saffron Autumn Barker (born 24 July 2000) is an English influencer, YouTuber and podcast host. She is best known for her time on the seventeenth series of Strictly Come Dancing, the fifth series of Celebrity Hunted, and as a runner-up on The Celebrity Circle. In September 2019, The Sunday Times named Barker as their top female influencer.[3]

Early life

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.[4][5] She attended Longhill High School in Rottingdean.[6]

Career

2015–2016: Career beginnings

Barker was a member of four-piece girl band Born2Blush with bandmates Libby Whitehouse, Jazmine Tiley and Georgia McNamara.[7] The group disbanded when she was 15-years-old, which seen her "left devastated", but it ultimately led to her opening a YouTube channel.[8] 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.[9] On 27 October 2015, she opened a side channel, solely dedicated to video blogging.[10] Barker has over 2 million subscribers on her main channel.[11]

2017–2018: Kids' Choice Awards, digital series and YouTube Rewind

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.[12] 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.[13] On 6 December 2017, she featured in YouTube's annual YouTube Rewind video.[14] 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.[15]

2019–present: Rise to fame in mainstream media

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.[16] She marked the second social media personality to take part in the competition's history after Joe Sugg.[17] 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.[18]

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.[19] Nine months later, in December, Barker was announced as one the 12 contestants to appear on The Celebrity Circle. It aired in March 2021, and seen Barker play as a single version of herself, instead of catfishing as someone else.[20] She was named the runner-up, as Lady Leshurr won the show after catfishing as British rapper Big Narstie.[21]

In January 2022, Barker appeared as a contestant an episode of BBC One's The Wheel, hosted by Michael McIntyre. She came second place on the leaderboard.[22] 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.[23] Barker's dance partner was Lee Ryan, and they were named the winners of the competition.[24]

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.[25] 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.[26]

Other media and projects

Clothing and homeware ranges

In October 2017, Barker launched a homeware, stationery, and loungewear range with Irish fashion retailer Primark.[27] In May 2020, she launched a loungewear range with in the Style.[28]

Podcasts

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".[29] 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.[30] 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".[31]

Philanthropy and charity work

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.[32]

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.[33][34] 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.[35]

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.[36] 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.[37]

Personal life

Saffron resides in Brighton.[38] She previously lived in Woodingdean with her family.[39] She did not attend college, as she wanted to pursue her YouTube career instead.[40]

Online controversies

In a now-deleted video which was originally uploaded in 2018, Barker faced backlash when she rolled her eyes and complained about her train journey being delayed, after a person had died by suicide.[41] Barker later issued a mea culpa in the form of an apology video, where she explained her frustrations were 'not with the victim, but the situation'. She said: "I completely understand how insensitive my comments were. I can see how it would appear that I wasn’t being considerate of the awful incident but in no way did I mean it like that. My frustrations were not towards the victim but the overall situation. Anyone that knows me knows there was no disrespect."[42]

Saffron and her Strictly dance partner, AJ Pritchard, faced criticism from the public, after they did not wear poppies on the Saturday, 2 November 2019 episode, ahead of Remembrance Day, whilst other contestants did, but Barker later stated this was because of a lift in the duo's dance routine. Three days later, Barker and Pritchard sold poppies to railway commuters outside of London's Waterloo Station.[43]

References

  1. ^ "SABER DIGITAL LTD Filing History". Companies House. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023. Director's details changed for Miss Saffron Autumn Barker on 25 September 2019.
  2. ^ Fuller, Christian (23 July 2021). "Saffron Barker celebrates 21st birthday with McFlurry party". The Argus. Archived from the original on 23 July 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2023. The Brighton-based YouTuber's birthday is on July 24.
  3. ^ "The Sunday Times Influencer List 2019: meet the UK's top 100". The Sunday Times. 8 September 2019. Archived from the original on 24 February 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  4. ^ Copson, Josie (3 August 2022). "'I'm a YouTube momager – I work for my celebrity kids but never wanted fame'". OK!. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  5. ^ Badkar, Aleesha (19 November 2019). "Strictly Come Dancing's Saffron Barker reveals home was burgled while family slept". Woman & Home. Archived from the original on 19 November 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  6. ^ Walker, Jamie (21 September 2019). "'I want to win Strictly,' says Saffron Barker". The Argus. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  7. ^ "Born2Blush in national final for second year running". The Argus. 21 January 2015. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  8. ^ Lavender, Jane (9 November 2019). "Strictly's Saffron Barker's secret celeb career that kickstarted her YouTube channel". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 9 November 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  9. ^ "Saffron Barker's YouTube Stats (Summary Profile)". Social Blade. Archived from the original on 18 August 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  10. ^ "SaffronBarkerVlogs's YouTube Stats (Summary Profile)". Social Blade. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  11. ^ Chambers, Georgia (1 August 2019). "Who is Saffron Barker? The YouTube star confirmed in Strictly line up 2019". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 2 August 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  12. ^ Velasco, Haley (3 March 2017). "Nickelodeon International to deploy 'Social Squad' of influencers at Kids' Choice Awards". The Drum. Archived from the original on 3 March 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  13. ^ Cable, Simon (21 April 2017). "The 9 YouTube stars you need to know about – and how they hit the big time". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 21 April 2017. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  14. ^ Brinnard, AJ (6 December 2017). "YouTubers Star In YouTube Rewind 2017". TenEighty. Archived from the original on 10 December 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  15. ^ Dickson, Jeremy (9 March 2018). "Nickelodeon launches influencer-driven prank campaign". Kidscreen. Archived from the original on 11 March 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  16. ^ "YouTube star Saffron Barker CONFIRMED for Strictly Come Dancing and admits she's 'scared' of public reaction". Heart. 1 August 2019. Archived from the original on 1 August 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  17. ^ "Strictly Come Dancing 2019 contestants: who is left in the competition and who has been eliminated so far?". The Daily Telegraph. 3 November 2019. Archived from the original on 3 November 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  18. ^ Harrison, Ellie (24 November 2019). "Strictly Come Dancing: Saffron Barker eliminated from BBC competition". The Independent. Archived from the original on 27 November 209. Retrieved 30 March 2023. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 27 November 2019 suggested (help)
  19. ^ Hogan, Michael (13 March 2020). "Sport Relief best bits: Killing Eve and Line of Duty sketches are pick of charity telethon". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 14 March 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  20. ^ Woolston, Hope (10 March 2021). "The Celebrity Circle: Why 'single' Saffron Barker lied about boyfriend Tyler Dixon in relationship status". Sussex Live. Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  21. ^ Wakefield, Lily (16 March 2021). "Lady Leshurr pays tearful tribute to late sister after winning The Celebrity Circle as a catfish". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  22. ^ Carey, Rebecca (15 January 2022). "Melvin Odoom tops leaderboard on BBC's The Wheel – How the celebs ranked". Bournemouth Echo. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  23. ^ Morris, Lauren (21 February 2022). "Meet the celebrity cast of E4's The Real Dirty Dancing". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 21 February 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  24. ^ Brinsford, James (21 April 2022). "Strictly star Saffron Barker is unrecognisable after pink hair transformation". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 21 April 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  25. ^ Blackburn, Tom (28 March 2023). "Celebrity Hunted 2023 – full line-up as Channel 4 reality game show returns for new series". Birmingham Mail. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  26. ^ Mitchell, Harriet (2 May 2023). "Celebrity Hunted finale ends with first-of-its-kind twist". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 3 May 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  27. ^ Garfield, Amber (23 October 2017). "Primark team up with YouTube star Saffron Barker to launch a home and loungewear range – and it's adorable". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 23 October 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  28. ^ Bain, Ellissa (28 May 2020). "In The Style: When can I buy Saffron Barker's new range?". HITC. Archived from the original on 8 June 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  29. ^ Pewsey, Guy (13 November 2020). "Saffron Barker Teams Up With Her Mum Wendy For New Podcast". Grazia. Archived from the original on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  30. ^ "Mum Made Me Do It With Saffron Barker". Global Player. Archived from the original on 14 October 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  31. ^ "Introducing: Sex, Lies and DM Slides with Anastasia Kingsnorth and Saffron Barker". Spotify. October 2022. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  32. ^ Williamson, Sarah (28 December 2018). "Saffron Barker To Run London Marathon For Dementia Revolution". TenEighty. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  33. ^ Grazia (8 April 2020). "Saffron Barker: Why She Is Donating Her Ad Income To The NHS". Grazia. Archived from the original on 9 April 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  34. ^ Sulway, Verity. "Saffron Barker launches campaign to raise money for the NHS – in the simplest way". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 10 April 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  35. ^ "YouTube stars including Saffron Barker unite for lockdown livestream fundraiser". BBC News. 30 April 2020. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 30 April 2020 suggested (help)
  36. ^ Kent, Sara-Aisha (4 September 2020). "Rita Ora and Jade Thirlwall lead famous faces going offline for Digital Detox day". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 6 September 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  37. ^ McPolin, Sean (19 November 2020). "YouTuber Saffron Barker surprised Isle of Sheppey carer with lottery award". Kent Online. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  38. ^ Marshall, Olivia (25 February 2022). "Fatboy Slim, Piers Morgan, Holly Willoughby and Saffron Barker show support for Ukraine". Yahoo! News. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  39. ^ Marshall, Olivia (26 November 2020). "Strictly star Saffron Barker to leave £800,000 family home". The Argus. Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  40. ^ Calvert, Gemma (17 March 2020). "Saffron Barker on Tackling Trolls and Believing in Yourself". Happiful. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  41. ^ Ashfield, Aaliyah (1 August 2019). "Strictly Come Dancing: Saffron Barker backlash over online suicide rant". Entertainment Daily. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  42. ^ "Strictly Come Dancing Star & YouTuber Saffron Barker Train Tweet Controversy Explained". Capital FM. 1 August 2019. Archived from the original on 1 August 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  43. ^ Lloyd, Albertina (5 November 2019). "Strictly's Saffron Barker and AJ Pritchard sell poppies to commuters following backlash from viewers". Yahoo! Entertainment. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
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