Zoe Ball admits she had no idea who 'Strictly' contestant Saffron Barker was

Strictly Come Dancing It Takes Two host Zoe Ball has confessed she had no idea who Saffron Barker was when she was told the vlogger had been signed up for this year’s show.

It was announced this week that YouTube star Barker, 19, will be among the celebs taking to the dancefloor on the new series of the BBC competition.

Many Strictly fans posted messages on social media saying they had no idea who Barker was – and Ball has admitted she felt the same way.

Read more: Strictly line-up so far

She said on her BBC Radio 2 breakfast show: "They've announced another Strictly Come Dancing person.

"Social media star Saffron Barker, she’s 19 and we were all like, who?"

However, Ball pointed out that not being a household name won’t necessarily stop Barker winning the coveted Glitterball trophy.

Last year internet celebrity Joe Sugg took part in the competition and made it to the final.

"Maybe she (Barker) is this year's Joe!” said Ball.

"She could well be, she looks very lovely."

After it was announced that she would be taking part in Strictly, Barker said she had “never been so excited and nervous”.

“This journey hasn’t even begun yet and I already feel like I’m in a dream!” she said on Instagram.

“I am going to work so hard and cannot wait to get on that dance floor and meet my partner!

“I hope all of you can come on this journey with me & Thank you so much for all your support & kind words.”

Read more: New pro for Strictly

So far the other celebrities announced for Strictly 2019 are David James, Chris Ramsey, Emma Barton, Catherine Tyldesley and Mike Bushell.

Ball is returning to host spin off It Takes Two, where she will be joined by Rylan Clark-Neal, and Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will be back to present the main show.

Judges Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood and Shirley Ballas will be back on the panel dishing out their critiques.

They will be joined by newcomer Motsi Mabuse,the sister of Strictly professional Oti, who is replacing Dame Darcey Bussell.