ONLINE star Saffron Barker is now one of the favourites to win this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, following a “beautiful” waltz.

On Saturday, Saffron, from Rottingdean, and professional partner AJ Pritchard performed to the tune of Your Song by Ellie Goulding.

The dance earned them standing ovations as well as three perfect tens and a nine from the judges.

And fans are now saying Saffron could follow in the footsteps of Brighton-based Stacey Dooley who lifted the coveted glitterball in last year’s competition.

Journalist Stacey, who did some of her rehearsing in Brighton, was crowned the winner with professional partner Kevin Clifton.

Saffron’s Saturday score of 39 – coincidentally the exact score Stacey received for her final performance of the 2018 show – put her at the top of the leaderboard.

Head judge Shirley Ballas said the pair “ticked all the boxes” and “made everything look easy”.

“This is everything, it’s sensitivity of touch, it’s superb footwork,” she gushed.

Commenters at home were similarly effusive in their praise, describing Saffron’s performance as “first class”, “the most beautiful dance of the evening” and “absolutely stunning”.

Saffron has also been confirmed to appear on the 2020 live tour of Strictly Come Dancing, which will be hosted by Stacey.

Saffron, 19, is the first female social media star to appear on Strictly.

She has amassed more than three million subscribers since 2015 with her videos focusing on fashion, lifestyle, beauty and music.

Her connection with AJ on the dancefloor has led to speculation about the nature of their relationship, but both have been quick to deny rumours of romance.

There are now seven couples left on Strictly after BBC Sports presenter Mike Bushell lost out in Sunday’s dance off.

The remaining couples will be performing live at Blackpool Tower Ballroom on Saturday. Saffron said: “AJ said to me every great dancer has danced at Blackpool so if I made it there I would be pretty proud.”