BBC Celebrity Race Across the World Tyler and Molly’s relationship after finding love on Strictly

The EastEnders actress and radio DJ first crossed paths on Strictly Come Dancing in 2022

Molly and Tyler got engaged earlier this year(Image: BBC)

Tyler West and Molly Rainford are taking part in this year’s star-studded series of Race Across the World. The hit BBC programme returned to screens last week for an exciting third series. Molly and Tyler met on Strictly Come Dancing and their romance has gone from strength to strength, getting engaged earlier this year.

A group of famous faces have swapped their luxury lifestyles for an adventure around the world. The contestants taking part in Race Across the World are from a range of showbiz backgrounds including TV presenters and actors.

The four groups embarked on one of the most breathtaking routes yet, discovering the Caribbean and Pacific coast of Central America. Their journey began on the idyllic Caribbean island of Isla Mujeres, just off the easternmost point of Mexico and the teams must race 5,900km to reach the finish line in the remote and breathtaking Península de La Guajira in Colombia – the gateway to South America.

Molly and Tyler are testing their luck on the show. Other stars taking part include Roman Kemp and his sister Harleymoon, broadcaster Anita Rani is and her dad, Bal, and actor Dylan Llewellyn and his mum, Jackie.

Tyler West and Molly Rainford(Image: Ben Whitley/PA Wire)

Molly is best known for her role as Anna Knight on BBC soap EastEnders. She has also proved her vocal talent as a finalist on the sixth series of Britain’s Got Talent in 2012.

Tyler kickstarted his presenting career appearing on several shows on CBBC and also presents on Kiss FM radio. He met Molly on Strictly Come Dancing in 2022 and popped the all-important question on a holiday in Greece earlier this year.

The couple met three years ago on the hit BBC dancing show. Tyler was partnered with professional dancer Dianne Buswell and managed to reach week nine.

Molly reached the final with her partner Carlos Gu. But they lost out on the iconic glitterball trophy to Hamza Yassin and his partner Jowita Przystal.

Molly and Tyler became good friends during their time on the show and their relationship developed while on the Strictly live tour. They went public with their romance in March 2023.

Speaking about the first few moments they realised sparks were flying, Molly said: “When Tyler got his first 10 on Strictly, I said, ‘Congrats on the 10,’ and he replied, ‘I’m looking at a 10 right now!'”

The radio star says proposing was the “easiest, best decision of [his] life”, because he knew that Molly was the person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

Sharing a video of their engagement during the summer, Tyler said: “Found our forever. 10.8.2025.” In the video, he said: “I don’t know where to start. So I’m hoping you can continue making me the luckiest man on this Earth, like you do every single day. So baby… will you marry me?”

Speaking to New! magazine, Tyler said “She’s my best friend. She’s made me feel more love in these past two years than I’ve experienced in my entire life. I proposed in Mykonos, and I was so chill and calm – it was the easiest, best decision of my life.”

Tyler said: “Every time we were out for lunch, Molly would burst into tears, and people would look over. I had to say, ‘It’s happy tears guys, don’t worry!'”

The couple said the show brought them closer together(Image: ITV)

Molly and Tyler have said they are in no rush to get married and want to soak up this special time. The EastEnders actress said: “Some people get engaged and married within a year or two.

“But it seems stressful. I’d rather take it slow. You’re husband and wife for the rest of your lives. I want to soak this stage up.”

The couple are taking part in BBC’s Celebrity Race Across the World, and Tyler said the show has strengthened their relationship.

He said: “People said to us beforehand, ‘I don’t think I could do that with my partner,’ because they’d drive each other up the wall.

“So yes, we thought about what we’d do if we argued, because we don’t normally, but actually, it just brought us closer together.”

Molly added: “It was actually a chance to enjoy uninterrupted time together. We had conversations that weren’t about what food to eat or schedules!”

Celebrity Race Across the World airs Thursdays at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer