Strictly Come Dancing star Saffron Barker is in the spotlight after old tweets resurfaced.
The 19-year-old YouTuber star has been slammed by the mother of a cancer victim - alleging that Saffron used her daughter for publicity back in 2017.
Fellow YouTuber Jessica-Jayde Allen, who was Saffron's friend, tragically passed away in April 2017 following a six year battle.
Saffron helped to raise cancer awareness with a vlog and has since teamed up with Stand Up to Cancer.
In tributes to the 21-year-old, Saffron had tweeted: “RIP Jess. I'm gonna love and miss u with all my heart. You were one truly kind hearted friend who I will never forget…”
However, in 2018, Saffron tweeted: “I’m so lucky, I have never directly had anyone in my life who has had cancer, but so many of my subscribers have had people in theirs who have, or who have had it themselves, unfortunately millions of people have and so today I’m so honoured to be part of @su2c livestream.”
Saffron was supporting Stand Up to Cancer, one of the many charities she works with, and did not mean to cause offence.
One of those to lash out at Saffron on Twitter was Jessica-Jayde’s mum Terri in a scathing tweet.
An outraged Terri wrote: “Is this vile disgusting human for real. Pretending to be my daughter’s best friend AND coming to her funeral. Using my daughter @_JaydeAllen for attention. Showing your true colours now aren’t we @SaffronBarker … absolutely disgusting. Anything for attention, TWO FACED and SICK”.
Saffron has been targeted by trolls since the tweets resurfaced.
A source close to Saffron said: "To suggest in any way that Saffron didn’t care about Jayde, and used this awful tragedy for publicity is outrageous and the online community know this.
"Saffron is a kind-hearted young woman, and throughout this whole process last year was only ever trying to help raise awareness for this horrendous disease."
Others flooded Jessica-Jayde’s mum’s timeline with emotional messages, including: “Saffron is a disrespectful person, I can’t believe how awful some people can be, I’m sending lots of love to you Terri, so sorry to hear about your daughter.”
Another Twitter user wrote: "Let us not forget that saffron barker called a fan with cancer her "best friend" then completely forgot about her existence once she passed away."
A third Twitter user branded Saffron as “#SoFake”, adding: “So how important was she really to you?”.
Saffron also posted a video to YouTube following Jessica-Jayde's death to pay tribute to her.
Comments below the video described it as Saffron's "most inspirational vlog" with some claiming she "has a heart of pure gold" when talking about her friend.
Saffron was the fourth celebrity to be confirmed for this year's Strictly Come Dancing.
Speaking on Heart FM Breakfast, she said: "I am really excited to go on the Strictly journey and am feeling very grateful for the opportunity!
"I’m looking forward to learning all of the dances, finding out who my partner is, getting to wear the costumes and to just experience this once in a lifetime opportunity."
Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@trinitymirror.com or call us direct 0207 29 33033
