Who is Sara Davies? The rundown on Strictly Come Dancing's local glitterball trophy hopeful

Sara Davies is starring in the new series of Strictly Come Dancing. Picture Ray Burmiston PA.

Strictly Come Dancing begins once again this weekend, and the North East is being represented by Entrepreneur Sara Davies - but who is the new Strictly competitor?

What is her background?

The 37 year old, who lives in Wynyard, Teesside with her husband and two sons became well known as the youngest ever investor on BBCs Two’s Dragons’ Den and made her TV debut before that as the host of Be Creative, a craft show from Local Television Limited.

She has been a Dragon on the long running show since 2019.

What did she do before Dragons’ Den?

Before her time in the media, Davies was a successful young small business owner. This started during her time at the University of York where she set up Crafter’s Companion, a craft supply company.

Thanks to a tool she developed and sold through television shopping channels, the buisness was turning over £500,000 by the time she graduated.

The growth of her business has allowed Sara’s brand to export to more than 40 countries across the world, but her heart remains in the North East with the company’s headquarters remaining in Newton Aycliffe, Durham.

Thanks to her work in business, she has won over 30 awards within the sector.

She is reportedly worth £37 million and was awarded a MBE for services to the economy as part of the 2016 New Years Honours list.

Can she win Strictly?

Not afraid of the TV cameras, she will take her place in the 19th Series of Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night, but it is set to be a learning curve for Davies.

"I’m really nervous because so far the producers keep asking me if I can dance. Truth be told – I haven’t got a clue! I’ve not danced since I did ballet lessons when I was little” she told the BBC, adding “My mam and dad are going to be so excited!”

Sara continues: “The business world has taught me that tenacity, drive and determination deliver results, I hope that I can bring that to the dancefloor.”

* Strictly Come Dancing starts this Saturday, 18th September at 19:45 on BBC One.