Molly Rainford and Tyler West found love on Strictly Come Dancing back in 2022, but four years on, the couple admit that although they’re planning their wedding, they love being engaged
Molly Rainford and her fiancé, Tyler West, are in no rush to get married. Almost a year after the couple got engaged during a romantic break in Mykonos, Greece, the happy couple have revealed they love being engaged to one another.
It was a love story which blossomed after the pair met on the BBC show Strictly Come Dancing four years ago. Tyler had purchased Molly’s engagement ring early on in their relationship as he instantly knew the singer and actress was the one for him.
But now, the couple have opened up about their wedding planning, and why they’re not in a rush to walk down the aisle any time soon. “It’s a whole other lifestyle, it’s a full-time job,” Tyler laughed. While Molly joked that the couple needed to “take a sabbatical” in order to consider their day.
And there’s no date booked yet; instead, they’re seeking inspiration to help them plan their ceremony. Tyler added: “The one thing we came up against was people [saying] ‘When are you going to get married?’ we don’t have a clue, we’re actually enjoying being engaged at the moment.
“Why does everyone skip this middle part? What’s so bad about this middle part?” Molly added: “Once you’re married, you’re going to be Mr and Mrs forever, you’re not going to be a fiancée forever.” A huge decision the pair are facing is the choice of food, a decision Tyler says will take them “absolutely ages”.
“I don’t know what I’m going to fancy in a year’s time,” said Molly, while Tyler added: “It’s so hard – especially if you’re doing it abroad, you’ve got to make decisions and you’re limiting your options.”
And as the nation waits to find out which celebrities will be put through their paces on Strictly this year, Molly urged the famous faces to “enjoy” the experience. “Just take it all in,” she said, adding: “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience and you never get to learn something so closely to a professional and see where it takes you.
“Take it all in and just go for it, anyone who would be questioning whether to do it, go do Strictly, I always say – best experience.” Tyler explained that the show completely changed their lives.
He said: “Just enjoy it, before you know it, it’s over and it’s the next batch, and everyone’s like ‘Are you still dancing?’ of course we are, we were obsessed with it, we loved it, it’s great that show!” Since finding fame in 2012, Molly admits she’s discovered she’s far more resilient than she had ever anticipated.
“Especially for both of us being in this industry from a young age,” she said, adding: “It’s very easy to think ‘Oh my gosh, all these no’s, the setbacks and discouragement,’ I feel like both of us as individuals have gone ‘pick yourself up, move on to the next project,’ and it’s working out for the better.”
Tyler said: “I’ve learned to live in the moment a bit more because, in just a short space of time, from starting out on CBBC to where I am now, I’ve learnt so much about myself and I’ve achieved so many things that I would have only once ever dreamed of doing.
“So I think taking a minute to appreciate that and be engaged at the moment, be at that ceremony and meeting that person, having that interview. I think that’s the moment to sort of breathe and take it in, anybody in life, whenever you have an achievement, celebrate it and remember that you did that.” And for Molly, she says it’s important to appreciate achievements rather than looking ahead.
This year, the couple are joining Soccer Aid for UNICEF as celebrity supporters, their first time working with the organisation. Speaking about teaming up with the event, Molly said: “I think Soccer Aid is something that, for the both of us, we’ve watched for so many years, and, I just think all of the money that they’ve raised has been so life-changing and so incredible, and it’s an amazing thing to, like bring people together, to have something to enjoy but know what you’re playing for, I’m absolutely buzzing.”
Tyler said: “It’s always been like a staple in our household, watching it every single year. And you’re seeing just two worlds collide in terms of celebrities and professional footballers, which is a bit of a surreal feeling when you see Usain Bolt running down and scoring a goal. That’s incredible. But the fact that you can raise, you know, over 100 million pounds for children all around the world who deserve the right to play is really special.”
Molly went on to explain that it feels “surreal”, but she is “very lucky” to be part of the celebrity supporters this year. The couple say they’re very aware that there is still more to do for young children across the world, with Tyler saying it’s “scary” how expensive things are due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
“When you can give any penny or pound, you don’t know how far that penny or pound goes and can save a child’s life around the world,” he said. And this year, Molly says it’s “amazing” that adult tickets cost just £20, while children’s tickets are on sale for £10, making the event accessible for people who may not have the chance to attend football matches.
“I think it kind of teaches the idea of it, of normalising giving back, it being a normal thing to be able to give back to and participate when it comes to charity,” said Tyler. Molly says she’s excited to see the “returning squad”, including Sam Thompson, Tom Grennan, Angry Ginge, Jill Scott and Toni Duggan, to name a few.
Tyler, however, is excited to see his childhood friend, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, also known as Gladiator’s Nitro, take to the pitch. “He is quick, I’ve tried to race him so many times when we were younger, he’s going to bring that power and speed,” he laughed, before adding: “Chloe Burrows – she’s been banging on about being a good footballer, a semi-pro footballer for a long time, I’m excited to see her step up to the mark!” This year, Chloe, who presents on Kiss FM alongside Tyler, will be making her debut at Soccer Aid.
Soccer Aid for UNICEF takes place on Sunday, 31st May at the London Stadium. Adult tickets start from £20 and juniors from £10: socceraid.org.uk/tickets
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