barker

STRICTLY star Saffron Barker has broken down in tears as she opened up on her sad split from her model ex for the first time.

The 26-year-old called it quits with Josh Miln last week as they unfollowed each other on Instagram.

Saffron and Josh were together for two years and lived in Dubai after she packed up her life in Brighton to be with him.

But now, the YouTuber has spoken out for the first time since the split was revealed.

Speaking in a video shared on the streaming platform, she said: “As you guys know, I came to New York. I came here nearly six weeks ago now, I came here for an acting school.

“When I first came to New York, Josh and I were still together. However, since being here, our relationship has ended.”

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She continued: “Obviously we were together for nearly two years but we also pretty much lived with each other for two years.

“And anyone that has lived with a partner will know when you live with someone it feels like you’ve been with them a lifetime.”

Saffron got teary-eyed as she confessed she was “hurting” and told fans she wouldn’t be detailing what went on between the pair.

“It’s very fresh it’s very new. I’ve cried way too much already. I really don’t want to cry again,” admitted Saffron.

“If this relationship and all my relationships have taught me anything it’s probably just that I need to really focus on self love and focus on myself and do things that are going to make me happy.”

The social media star then wiped the falling tears from her eyes as she thanked her near 2.5 million YouTube followers for their support.

She sobbed as she said she felt “really loved” amid their shock split.

Saffron ended the clip on a positive note as she plastered on a smile and admitted it was “just one of those things.”

The formerly loved-up couple featured on each other’s socials nearly everyday.

They did everything together as they embraced their new adventure over 3,000 miles away from her family and friends.

Saffron is now living the single life in New York and looks happier than ever as she picked up acting again after putting her dream on hold.

Josh has so far stayed silent amid their break up.

The “Love Island USA” production team is mourning the loss of executive producer James Barker, who died last week while on set in Fiji.

“Love Island USA” producers ITV America and Peacock confirmed Barker’s death in a media release shared with The Times on Monday. The announcement said that Barker died after “an unexpected medical emergency” but did not provide additional details, including the day of his death and a cause of death. Barker was 40.

“James’ unimaginable loss has been deeply felt across not just the entire Love Island USA production, but throughout all of ITV and Peacock,” the television companies said in a joint statement. “He was a beloved and greatly valued member of our collective family whose kindness, talent and dedication left an indelible mark on all of us and everyone who had the privilege of knowing and working with him. We extend our heartfelt condolences to James’ family, friends and colleagues.”

Barker began his tenure on “Love Island USA” in 2020, first working as a story producer. He has worked as an executive producer on the series for the last three seasons and was also a member of the producing team on “Love Island” companion series “Love Island Games” and “Love Island: Beyond the Villa.”

Barker, according to Monday’s statement, also oversaw the hit series’ pop soundtrack. For an interview with Rolling Stone in 2025, Barker recalled watching the original British “Love Island” series and how pop music supplemented the on-screen romances and heartbreak: “I think that is where my brain immediately said, ‘One, this is amazing, and more shows should be like this.’ And two, ‘How do I work on “Love Island”?’”

Barker also noted in the interview that he drew inspiration for the “Love Island USA” villa sound from his pre-TV career as a nightlife DJ and spoke about the process of hand-selecting music from established pop acts and up-and-coming artists.

“In the past, there was such a stigma about reality shows that a lot of artists didn’t want their music associated with reality shows. And that’s starting to turn around now,” Barker told the outlet. “[Artists are] more and more seeing, well, one, the financial aspect of having your music synced in these kind of shows, and also just the wide reach of viewers.”

Before “Love Island USA,” Barker was a producer on reality series “Pawn Stars,” “Counting Cars” and “Forged in Fire.” He later served as a story producer on “Queer Eye,” “Cosmic Love” and “Are You My First?” Outside of his TV work, Barker often performed as DJ Chaotic at gay bar C’mon Everybody in Brooklyn.

“Love Island USA,” which began its eighth season earlier this month, will pay tribute to Barker in Tuesday’s episode.

He is survived by his mother Malinda.