How Anastasia Kingsnorth and Saffron Barker have ‘drifted apart’ – as pals reveal what’s really going on

THEY were once inseparable influencers who built an online empire side-by-side. But now Anastasia Kingsnorth and Saffron Barker’s friendship is said to be under increasing strain – with insiders claiming their lives have taken them in very different directions. The pair, who first met as teenagers and have been close for around a decade, continue to support each other publicly. But behind the scenes, those closest to them say things are no longer quite as cosy as they once were. Anastasia Kingsnorth, left, and Saffron Barker have been close friends for around a decade – but pals say their once unbreakable bond has changed Credit: Getty Saffron swapped Dubai for New York this summer as she pursued her acting ambitions and began a new chapter Credit: instagram/saffronbarker One source told The Sun: “Anastasia and Saffron have really drifted apart – especially since Saffron’s big move to New York. “This has been going on for a while now – since Anastasia got together with her boyfriend really. Saffron since then has really found it hard to swallow that she’s doing so well. They do continue to chat and stay in contact, but it’s just not the same.” The revelation comes after a turbulent year for the former Strictly star Saffron, 26, which has seen her split from model Josh Miln, move her life from Dubai to New York and pursue acting opportunities in America. And pals believe the sheer scale of the changes in Saffron’s life – coupled with the pair increasingly being compared online – has created a difficult dynamic between the two creators. The source continued: “To add to all of this, Ana feels pretty stung that she’s distanced from Saffron during such big life changes. The break-up was a huge deal, as was her move to New York, but Ana just didn’t feel as involved as a best friend should. “It also is quite a big deal for Saffron to be moving on and to such big things with her acting pursuits. Obviously the internet compares them a lot so the two internalise it and so it naturally pits one another against each other – even subconsciously – which does add some tension.” For now, however, there is no suggestion the friendship has ended. The pair still stay in contact and have talked about reuniting – while Saffron continues to leave supportive comments beneath Anastasia’s posts. Recently she wrote “Love it” and “Omg beautiful Ana!!!” in response to her friend’s content. But the same level of public interaction has not been coming back the other way. Anastasia, 25, has not commented on one of Saffron’s posts in around six weeks – something friends say is indicative of how their relationship has changed. The source added: “They still are friends and show support for each other’s work, but it’s not the same as before and sometimes is a bit strained. With Saff being back in Dubai for the time being it’s hard to see when they can get back to the super close bond they shared. “Obviously they have been friends for years and do love each other but it’s just certain things that mean they are drifting.” Though there is one person who appears determined to keep them close – Saffron’s mum Wendy. The source said: “I’ve heard Saff’s mum – Wendy – is a big fan of their friendship and often driving them together and encourages them to reach out.” And given how far back the friendship goes, it is easy to see why. Anastasia and Saffron first met around ten years ago, when they were just 16, after Anastasia commented on one of Saffron’s videos. They soon began making content together and became one of YouTube’s most recognisable influencer friendships. But their bond has not always been entirely smooth sailing. Last year, The Sun revealed there had been simmering tension between the pair, with Anastasia’s relationship with her boyfriend Joe Boyd becoming a particular sticking point. An insider told us at the time: “On the surface, things look pretty much the same between Saffron and Ana, but there has been a real shift in recent months. It feels like Ana has found her voice for the first time and is really coming into her own – she doesn’t need Saffron any more. “It was always Saffron and then Ana hanging on, but she has her own fans, own ideas and own success now.” And things became particularly awkward after Anastasia began dating Joe. Anastasia’s relationship with boyfriend Joe Boyd was previously said to have caused tension between the besties Credit: instagram/anastasiakingsnorth The pair continue to stay in touch, although pals say things are ‘not the same’ Credit: Getty The insider continued: “The adjustment has been tricky for Saffron, and friends say it felt like a kick in the teeth when Ana got a boyfriend and there was so much interest in him. “Unlike Saffron’s boyfriend, Joe is a normal guy, and fans have loved trying to find out more about him because he hasn’t been plastered all over socials. It’s the first time Saffron has truly felt like Ana has overtaken her, and that is a hard pill to swallow.” At the time, fans even began picking up on the apparent tension, with comments beneath Anastasia’s videos branding Saffron “low key jealous” and accusing her of having a “superior complex”. Now, sources suggest the issue has evolved to become friends whose lives have moved in very different directions. Saffron’s latest chapter has been particularly dramatic. After relocating to Dubai with Josh, this summer she travelled to New York to attend acting school solo – initially while still in a relationship with him. She has since confirmed their split. Speaking in a video last month, 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.” It marks a huge change for the former Strictly Come Dancing star, who packed up her life in Brighton in a shock move to Dubai back in June 2025. As previously revealed by The Sun, those close to Saffron had already expressed concerns about the change, with one insider claiming she had struggled with life in the UAE. They told us: “She moved to Dubai for him and hated it, whereas now she’s finally doing something for herself. It’s fizzling out and this is basically like a trial separation. She’s getting her spark back and her independence again.” New York, meanwhile, has represented a chance for Saffron to pursue ambitions of her own. She has been taking acting classes and is hoping to establish herself in the US, with her friendship with celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton potentially helping open doors. But while Saffron has been navigating a break-up and major international move, Anastasia has been building her own increasingly successful career. The 25-year-old was raised by her single mum Julie alongside younger brother Atticus and began her YouTube channel at just 11. She now boasts around one million Instagram followers and 1.6million on TikTok, as well as becoming a Sunday Times bestselling author. Saffron, meanwhile, has around 1.7million Instagram followers and 2.2million on TikTok and has built a career that has taken her far beyond YouTube. The Strictly star confirmed her split from model Josh Miln last month after two years together and a move to Dubai Credit: instagram/saffronbarker The pair first met at 16 and went on to become one of Youtube’s best-known influencer duos Credit: Splash At one point, the pair even attempted to turn their friendship into a business venture. In 2022, they launched a podcast together – although the project was quickly engulfed in controversy after it emerged they had taken over a show previously fronted by celebrity chef Gizzi Erskine. Gizzi said she was “shocked and horrified” after realising her show Sex, Lies & DM Slides had been taken over by Spotify and the influencers. Saffron and Anastasia were nevertheless thrilled at the time, with Saffron writing: “We have been waiting nearly 6 years for a project together and this is finally it, still doesn’t feel real actually writing this!!” So whilst there is still the lasting bond between the old friends – insiders admit the friendship that once seemed almost unbreakable has entered a new phase that has caused them to drift. It’s yet to be known whether it will stand the test of time.