Molly Rainford’s Strictly Come Dancing Journey: From Dancefloor to Forever

The Strictly Come Dancing Spark

In 2022, Molly Rainford was announced as a contestant on the twentieth series of Strictly Come Dancing, finishing as the runner-up alongside her professional partner Carlos Gu. The young actress and singer, already known for her role in CBBC’s Nova Jones and her sixth-place finish on Britain’s Got Talent at age 11, impressed viewers and judges with her performances throughout the competition. Carlos Gu joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2022 and was partnered with Molly Rainford, with the pair reaching the final of the show.

But Strictly gave Molly much more than a shot at the Glitterball Trophy—it introduced her to fellow contestant Tyler West, a Kiss FM DJ. Molly and Tyler first met on Strictly Come Dancing in 2022, when they were both celebs on the show, with Tyler paired with Dianne and Molly with Carlos reaching the final. Though their romance didn’t blossom immediately during the competition, their connection would prove life-changing.

From Friendship to Romance

Initially, when they met, Molly and Tyler were just friends, with Molly telling OK Magazine that everyone thinks they got together on the show, but they didn’t, and it kind of happened after as they built a little friendship. Things turned romantic just after the Strictly tour, when he asked her on a date, with Tyler revealing the moment he fell in love with Molly was during the Newcastle leg of the tour, because he started to realise that when she left, he missed her.

Following months of speculation that Tyler and Molly were an item, the pair delighted fans when they confirmed they were in a relationship in March 2023. Tyler and Molly moved in together in January 2024. Their relationship has captivated fans with adorable social media posts and their genuine affection for each other.

The Engagement and Beyond

On 10th August 2025, Tyler proposed to Molly during a romantic trip to Mykonos, Greece. Speaking on Lorraine, Tyler said he’d bought a ring for Molly just four months into their relationship, as he “knew this is my person”. The proposal came shortly after the couple filmed Celebrity Race Across the World together, an experience that tested and strengthened their bond.

After a tense foot race during the sixth and final episode on Thursday 11th December 2025, Tyler and Molly just missed out on the win to Roman and Harley Moon Kemp. Despite not winning, their journey on the show demonstrated the strength of their partnership. In March 2023, it was announced that Molly had been cast on the BBC soap opera EastEnders, with her character Anna Knight brought in as a daughter in a family introduced as new owners of the fictional Queen Vic pub.

Molly Rainford’s Strictly Come Dancing experience proved to be a pivotal moment in her life, offering not just professional recognition but also introducing her to her future husband. As the engaged couple continues to build their life together, their story remains an inspiring example of how unexpected connections can blossom into lasting love.