A businesswoman and TikTok star from Burnley says she is grateful for all of the opportunities her social media platform has given her.

Twenty-six-year-old Lauren Saddington has amassed more than 528,000 followers on video sharing app, TikTok, where she posts funny, relatable and sometimes hard-hitting content.

She is also the founder of party business, More Than Just a Princess, where staff dress as Disney princesses and attend children’s parties and events.

If that wasn’t enough, Lauren launched the second series of her podcast, Not Always a Princess, and some big social media stars are in the line-up of guests.

The former Shuttleworth College student started her TikTok channel during lockdown, where she was hosting free quizzes for children.

She said: “I started TikTok in lockdown. I was doing free quizzes for children online and the kids encouraged me to start.

“Then some of my videos went viral and the rest is history.”

Lauren said she cannot believe she has made a career out of TikTok.

“I never would have envisioned that my account would take off like it has,” she said. “One of the first five videos I ever did went viral but at the time I didn’t really know what that meant

“I never thought this would be a career and that I would get a podcast or money from it.

“I have worked for some crazy brands such as McDonald’s and the BBC and Swan.

“It is one step in the career I have always wanted which is presenting. It is amazing.”

Some of her most viral videos include shopping hauls, where she showcases bargain and unique items that she has purchased.

She is also candid about her life and discusses serious topics, including her eating disorders and mental health.

Lauren said: “My TikTok channel is a massive mix of things. It is positive and very much for young girls as well as mums. There is a video for everyone.

“I think people relate to that and I have always been an open book. My account really started after a break up, which I was really open and honest about.

“Everyone loves the Home Bargains hauls which are really popular, especially around Christmas. My American travel content has also done really well.”

Lauren balances her social media career alongside her party business, More Than Just a Princess, which she launched in 2018.

@laurensaddingtonx Is this @homebargainsofficialuk ♬ original sound - Lauren Saddington 👑

With this business Disney fan Lauren can transform into a ‘real life princess’ and bring joy to children at parties.

Lauren said: “I am balancing running this business while running my social media account at the same time.

“I launched that in 2018 and we were only operating for around a year before Covid hit, when I started doing quizzes for kids and families and mums who may have been feeling a bit lonely.”

This month Lauren also launched the second season of her podcast Not Always a Princess where she discusses some serious topics.

She said: “For season two, which is out now, we have a new set design which is incredible, we have had guests from Love Island, The Apprentice, influencers from TikTok and beyond.

“I have done some solo episodes too which should be very relatable for young girls and mums.

“We discuss real topic and cover anything from relationships, eating disorders to pregnancies – some topics are really raw.”

Blackburn businesswoman, Camilla Ainsworth, is even set to appear on one episode.

Lauren said: “I want some of the topics to be very ‘businessy’ because that is what inspires me. I would recommend anyone to become self-employed.

“Having Camilla on, especially as she is from Blackburn, was incredible for me and I think people will love that.”

The first TikTok video that went ‘viral’ for Lauren, was one of her dressed as an Olive, reminiscent of a scene from movie Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging.

To date it has amassed 2.4million views.

@laurensaddingtonx Boys don’t like girls for being funny... #angusthongsandperfectsnogging #stuffedolive ♬ She's So Lovely - Scouting For Girls

Lauren said: “I have a guest on the podcast from the film Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging which was a massive childhood film of mine.

“That was my first viral video so to go from that to having my own podcast, interviewing one of the cast members, is insane.

“I am always so caught up and so busy that I rarely stop to think about all I have achieved.”

Lauren has given some advice to young people hoping to carve out a career on social media.

She said: “I would say be yourself. Do not copy other people as there are so many people out there copying others to be successful.

“You can be successful by being yourself and who you are and filming the videos that you like.”