Strictly Come Dancing: Social media star Saffron Barker confirmed as fourth celebrity

Saffron Barker has been confirmed as the fourth celebrity to join the 2019 Strictly Come Dancing line up.

The YouTube star's place in the new series was announced on Heart Radio on Thursday morning by 2018 finalist Ashley Roberts.

Saffron, 19, boasts over two million subscribers on YouTube and follows in the footsteps of fellow social media sensation Joe Sugg, who reached the final last year with his now-girlfriend Dianne Buswell.  

Dancing queen: Saffron Barker has been confirmed as the fourth celebrity to join the 2019 Strictly Come Dancing line up

Saffron has a reported net worth of $1million from her YouTube content which focuses on a mix of make up, challenge videos and pranks.

Speaking to Heart Radio, Saffron said despite having 1.2million followers on Instagram she's 'scared' of how the public might react to her place on the flagship BBC show.

'I think that's what I'm most nervous for,' she confessed. 'I think that everyone who follows me will support me as much as possible.'

Big star: Saffron, 19, boasts over two million subscribers on YouTube and follows in the footsteps of fellow social media sensation Joe Sugg, who reached the final last year

Referring to the backlash Joe received last year Saffron added: 'I think the same sort of thing will happen probably. 

'But I think once I get on the show, the public will get to know me as they got to know Joe, because as time went on his personality just shone.' 

While she's a social media sensation, Saffron admitted that her dance skills definitely need some work.  

Big announcement: The YouTube star's place in the new series was announced on Heart Radio on Thursday morning by 2018 finalist Ashley Roberts

Exciting times ahead: Saffron looked in great spirits as she left the Heart Radio studios 

'Everyone keeps thinking I'm going to be really good,' she admitted. 'Sorry to disappoint everyone but I don't think I'm going to be. I'd rate myself maybe a four, that's not great.

'If I go out with my friends all of them can really dance, I'm the worst one if we go to a club. I'm there doing the one, two step and a little bit of a click, that's pretty much all I can do, I wish I could twerk or something but no I can't.'

Saffron also spoke about potentially finding love on the show, laughing 'I am very [single], but I haven't even really thought about that.

'I think I'm just so focused on, obviously I want to meet my partner and have the best time and everything else, but I'm just so focused on working hard.'

Saffron joins former England goalkeeper David James, stand up comic Chris Ramsey and EastEnders star Emma Barton, who were the first three celebrities announced on The One Show on Wednesday. 

Following: Speaking to Heart, Saffron said despite having 1.2million followers on Instagram she's 'scared' of how the public might react

What a week! Saffron only turned 19 seven days ago, making her one of the youngest ever contestants on the BBC show

Setting the bar high: YouTuber Joe Sugg made the final in the 2018 series with his now girlfriend Dianne Buswell

Needs some polish: While she's a social media sensation, Saffron admitted though that her dance skills definitely need some work

Former England goalkeeper David- who has also worked as a football analyst for the BBC and BT Sport - said in a statement: 'I'm really excited to be on Strictly this year. Not just competing against this year's stars, but being compared to previous sport stars from previous Strictly seasons. I have some big shoes to fill.' 

Chris, 32, who gushed: 'As a comedian there are not so many things all the family, including the kids, can watch me on. But this is something everyone can watch.' 

He revealed he had 'told everyone' he was doing it, including three of his friends while drunk.

One, two, three...: [L-R] Footballer David James, comedian Chris Ramsey and EastEnders actress Emma Barton were  unveiled as the first three contestants on The One Show on Wednesday night 

'I told three of my mates on a stag do, but thankfully they forgot!' he said.

He added: 'I'm both excited and absolutely terrified to be doing the show. You will not find me on the dance floor at parties, you will find me at the buffet table. All night.

'At my wedding I danced with my wife; that one song took about six months practice, and I definitely stood on her feet a couple of times. So I'm looking forward to the possibility of making a fool of myself in front of millions of people … there better be a buffet after the live shows.'

Letting it slip: Chris revealed he had 'told everyone' he was doing it, including three of his friends while drunk. 'I told three of my mates on a stag do, but thankfully they forgot!' he said

Ta-Dah! Emma - who plays Honey Mitchell in the stalwart BBC soap - said: 'As possibly one of the biggest Strictly fans on the planet, I still can't believe this is happening

Emma - who plays Honey Mitchell in the stalwart BBC soap - said: 'As possibly one of the biggest Strictly fans on the planet, I still can't believe this is happening.

'I'm very much a dance around your handbag kinda girl, but now I've been given this wonderful opportunity to learn all the different styles of dancing from the very best in the business.

'So, I'm whipping off Honey's Minute Mart tabard and diving right in to all the glitter and sparkle. From Albert Square to the Strictly dance floor - I just can't wait!' 

The reveal may have surprised some fans of the annual tea-time dance competition, who may have been expecting three entirely different names.

Celebs: David has worked as a football analyst for the BBC and BT Sport, while Emma has appeared on Celebrity MasterChef

Earlier in the day, broadcaster Iain Lee randomly claimed that Sam Allardyce, Jamie Laing and Anneka Rice will be the first names to be announced, during an appearance on Good Morning Britain.

He claimed: 'They are going to announce the first three people on a show called The One Show – it's going to be Sam Allardyce, Jamie Laing and Anneka rice.'

Seemingly unaware Iain was going to make the announcement, host Ben Shephard said: 'They are announcing it later and you have already announced it?'

Feigning shock, Iain replied: 'Oops, sorry.'

New addition: In a further shake up on the show, pro dancer Oti Mabuse's sister Motsi will be joining the panel following Darcey Bussell's exit from the programme

There's been a shake-up amid the pro dancers this year, as well as the judging panel.

Chinese dancer Nancy Xu has joined the pros, who finally kicked off rehearsals for the new series on Tuesday.

Confirming the news on her 28th birthday, Nancy gushed that it was a 'dream come true' to land a job on the show, as she replaces Pasha Kovalev who quit the show earlier this year.

It's all change behind the judging desk too, with pro dancer Oti Mabuse's sister Motsi taking over from exiting judge Dame Darcey Bussell.

STRICTLY COME DANCING 2019: WHO ARE THE STARS?

Doing the funny fandango: Chris is known for his career in comedy

Name: Chris Ramsey

Age: 32

Famous for? Comedian and TV presenter

About Chris: With two series of The Chris Ramsey Show under his belt, he is also a regular face on other entertainment shows such as Celebrity Juice, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, 8 Out of 10 Cats and Live at the Comedy Store. He has also appeared on TV hosting Stand Up Central, and I’m a Celebrity: Extra Camp. In addition to his television work, Chris has also completed sell-out tours across the UK. Chris finished touring the UK last year with his 106 date stand-up tour Chris Ramsay Live 2018: The Just Happy To Get Out of the House Tour.

Chris says: 'I’m both excited and absolutely terrified to be doing the show. You will not find me on the dance floor at parties, you will find me at the buffet table. All night. At my wedding I danced with my wife; that one song took about 6 months practice, and I definitely stood on her feet a couple of times. So I’m looking forward to the possibility of making a fool of myself in front of millions of people… there better be a buffet after the live shows!'

Waltzing from Walford: Emma plays Honey Mitchell on EastEnders

Name: Emma Barton

Age: 42

Famous for? Playing Honey Mitchell in EastEnders from 2005 to 2008, then returning to the roll from 2014 to present.

About Emma: As well as many on screen roles, Emma is also an accomplished stage actress with theatre credits including: Roxie Hart in Chicago; Dolly in the National Theatre’s production of One Man Two Guvnors; Vera in Doctor in the House; Lily in Annie; Marty in Grease; Eileen in Over the Moon. She recently ran the London Marathon as one of Dame Barbara Windsor’s ‘Revolutionaries’, in aid of Dementia Revolution.

Emma says: 'As possibly one of the biggest Strictly fans on the planet, I still can’t believe this is happening. I’m very much a dance around your handbag kinda girl, but now I've been given this wonderful opportunity to learn all the different styles of dancing from the very best in the business. So, I’m whipping off Honey's Minute Mart tabard & diving right in to all the glitter & sparkle. From Albert Square to the Strictly dance floor - I just can’t wait!'

From football to foxtrot: David is a goalkeeper, artist and pundit

Name: David James MBE

Age: 48

Famous for? Former England No.1 goalkeeper.

About David: Starting his career at Watford, David went on to play for a number of clubs including Liverpool, where he lifted the League Cup in 1994-95, and Portsmouth, whom he helped to FA Cup success in 2007-08. He amassed 53 caps for his country over an international career spanning 13 years and was first choice at both Euro 2004 and the 2010 World Cup. David, who has worked as a football analyst for the BBC & BT Sport, was awarded an MBE in 2012 for services to football and charity, and hung up his boots in 2013 after finishing his career at Icelandic club IBV. Aside from football James has also modelled for Giorgio Armani and H&M as well as being an avid artist, and was the illustrator on the book Harry's Magic Pockets: The Circus.

David says: 'I'm really excited to be on Strictly this year. Not just competing against this year's stars, but being compared to previous sport stars from previous Strictly seasons. I have some big shoes to fill, #LetsGetLive.'

Social media sensation: Saffron Barker is a YouTube star 

Name: Saffron Barker

Age: 19

Famous for? Boasts over two million YouTube subscribers 

About Saffron: Famous for her blend of make up, shopping and challenge videos on YouTube, the teen has made an estimated $1million since she started to make videos in 2015.

She released her book My Perfectly Filtered Life in 2018.

Before kick starting her solo YouTube career in 2015, Saffron was a part of a girl band called ‘Born2Blush’ with friends Libby Whitehouse, Jazmine Tiley and Georgia McNarmara. 

The teenager only turned 19 a week before her Strictly announcement and lives at home with her mum, dad and three brothers 

Saffron says: 'Everyone keeps thinking I'm going to be really good,' 

'Sorry to disappoint everyone but I don't think I'm going to be. I'd rate myself maybe a four, that's not great!'

 

 

 

Daily Mail UK