Los Angeles – British influencer and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Saffron Barker has revealed she endured a series of traumatic events this week, including being hospitalised for emergency surgery and having all her belongings stolen while overseas.
The 24-year-old social media star, who rose to fame through her YouTube channel launched in 2015, shared the distressing news with her followers via Instagram. Posting a photo of herself in a hospital bed cuddling a teddy bear, she wrote:
“In the last week I’ve been in hospital, had emergency surgery, had my rental car completely smashed up and every single thing I own stolen including my passport so I can’t get home.”
The ordeal occurred while Barker was travelling in California, though specific details about the nature of her surgery and the robbery have yet to be disclosed. The influencer has remained largely quiet on social media following the incident, offering no further updates since the initial post.
Barker, who gained wider public attention after competing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2019 alongside professional dancer AJ Pritchard, has previously faced serious health issues.
Last year, she was rushed to the hospital with what doctors initially suspected was a tropical disease contracted from a mosquito bite while abroad.
At the time, she documented the experience with photos of herself covered in a red rash, attached to IV drips, and showing bruises from blood tests.
Although she later confirmed it was not malaria, she continued to battle an intense rash and other symptoms, including body aches, fever, and throat pain.
Earlier in 2023, Barker also suffered a skiing injury that required medical attention. The same year, her brother Casey, aged 27, experienced a major heart attack.
Barker later shared that he had made it to the hospital “just in time” and credited his survival to swift medical intervention.
Barker, who has over two million subscribers on YouTube, is also known for appearances on shows like Celebrity Hunted and The Celebrity Circle. Her fans have flooded her latest post with messages of support as she recovers from what she described as ‘one of the most difficult weeks of her life’.
Authorities in the U.S. have not yet confirmed any details regarding the theft or potential investigation.
