Here’s a first look at Saffron Barker and AJ Pritchard in training for Strictly Come Dancing’s live show.
Saffron Barker is a social media star and online YouTube vlogger.
She is dancing with professional AJ Pritchard on this year’s series.
In this first steps clip it’s revealed the pair will be dancing the Tango for the first live show.
“Oh my God, this is the one I wanted to do more than any!” reacts Saffron.
She's got the dance she wanted in week one! This might be the smiliest Tango we've ever seen on #Strictly @SaffronBarker and @Aj11Ace 😊 pic.twitter.com/TdedoIqAys
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) September 15, 2019
After the first day of training, AJ tells the camera: “Saffron’s balance is a little bit… erm… all over the place really. It’s gonna be a journey.
“We’re somewhere down here it’s definitely gonna get harder before it’s gonna get better.”
Saffron adds: “Fingers crossed it won’t take too long. But we’re on day one and we’ve got far to go.”
Meanwhile, talking ahead of the first live show, Saffron said of joining the show: “The reaction has been crazy. It’s been even bigger than I expected and the support has been incredible.
“My nan has been calling me every single day – she’s cried a lot and told me she’s very proud. She keeps telling me to sing the song ‘I Have Confidence’ from the Sound of Music to boost my confidence.
“When she was younger she wanted to be a dancer but her family only had enough money to send one of her sisters to dance classes, so she has told me I’m living her dream, which is really special.”
Strictly 2019’s first live episode airs next Saturday.
Other celebrities competing on this year’s show are former England international goalkeeper David James, RuPaul Drag Race’s Michelle Visage, Paralympic champion Will Bayley and Corrie star Catherine Tyldesley.
They’re joined by comedian Chris Ramsey, EastEnders’ actress Emma Barton, BBC Sports presenter Mike Bushell and CBBC presenter Karim Zeroual.
Also on the line up is Emmerdale’s Kelvin Fletcher, joining the show as a late replacement for injured Jamie Laing.
All the couples will perform live for the first time on Saturday, September 21 from 7PM.
As usual, no one will leave the first week but the judges will still score the routines and the marks will carry over to the first elimination in week 2.
