I’m Strictly banned from going on dates, says Molly
STRICTLY star Molly Rainford is in no danger of falling victim to the show’s infamous “curse” – her professional partner Carlos Gu has banned her from dating.
Molly, 21, has been romantically linked to fellow contestant Tyler West. But the singing star says pro Carlos is strict and won’t allow any distractions away from the dance floor.
The bubbly CBBC presenter said: “He told me, ‘You can’t be skipping any rehearsals to go on dates!’ So I don’t have any time for romance.Tyler is a lovely boy. We all get on really well. But we are training and working hard.”
Last week the Strictly duo survived their second dance-off – with Ellie Simmonds and Nikita Kuzmin being sent home.
The emotional toll was clear as Molly broke down in tears on Sunday’s results show.
“It was tougher last week than the first dance-off because we’re getting further on in the competition,” she said. “It’s getting easier to put those emotions in the locker, but they do creep up.
“I’m really working hard each week. All I want is to go out, make Carlos proud, make my parents proud, impress the judges and impress the audience.” The emotion of the dance-off experience is also new to Carlos, 28, as this is the Chinese national dance champion’s first Strictly.
He said: “It was definitely very hard to be in the dance-off, knowing how hard Molly works.”
The pair have consistently impressed the judges and were near the top of the leaderboard for their foxtrot, described by head judge Shirley Ballas as the “epitome of style and sophistication”.
Also having triumphed in a couple of dance-offs is Fleur East, the DJ and presenter who started out on X Factor.
“Fleur is like a big sister to me,” says Molly. “It’s nice to have someone who completely gets it as a singer and performer.”
Essex-born Molly became the youngest ever finalist on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent in 2012.
At the age of 11, she wowed Simon Cowell and the other BGT judges by belting out Jennifer Hudson’s One Night Only.
Looking back, she says performing as a youngster in front of millions of viewers was much easier than her time on the dance show.
“I’ve grown up watching Strictly and I know how many people love it. It’s a big deal,” she says.
Tonight, rumba king Carlos and Molly will be showing off their Cuban moves to Whitney Houston’s upbeat hit All The Man That I Need.
Molly confesses it’s hard to say goodbye to her voted off pals: “We eat dinner together on Friday nights before the show. Everyone is very supportive, which I’m so grateful for because people on Strictly really, really make the journey special.”
● Strictly Come Dancing, BBC1 tonight, 6.55pm.