SHE may be the youngest of this year’s Strictly crop, but Molly Rainford says she has grown from a girl to a woman as the show brings out her sexy side.
The children’s TV star stunned audiences last week by delivering a steamy rumba wearing a very revealing dress.
Molly says she has had to overcome her natural shyness to transform herself into a dancing diva
Molly has partnered with professional dancer Carlos Gu this season
Molly placed sixth in Britain’s Got Talent 2012
Four weeks ago she danced dressed as a schoolgirl to the tune of Grange Hill
But Molly, 21, says she has had to overcome her natural shyness to transform herself into a dance floor diva.
She said: “Strictly is definitely bringing out a different side in me, but it was tricky not feeling awkward about being that sensual and feminine.
“Of course, it was important that this dance was more than a sexy rumba — we also wanted to show this romantic story and the passionate side of us.
“But it was great to show the adult side of me and not just be the kid of the competition.
Finding those curves
“What you see is what you get now — I hope you weren’t expecting me to be the kid forever.
“I am a woman and I’ve always got that feminine side to me. I’ve just never really shown it off before on Strictly.
“The rumba does involve a lot of moving of hips and finding those curves and lines in your body. Other dances have brought out more fun, playful characters, but this one I had to bring out that other side of me.”
It has certainly been a major transformation in terms of appearance — and in winning over the notoriously demanding judging panel.
Just four weeks ago she danced dressed as a schoolgirl to the tune from Grange Hill and narrowly avoided getting kicked off the BBC One show when she ended up in the contest’s bottom two.
It has been one of the most unpredictable series in the history of the long-running TV favourite, with dancers getting high scores from the judges but still landing in the dance-offs following the public vote.
Molly said: “You just never know with Strictly. You never know what people will love.
“They might vote for you one week because of the way you danced, the next because of your dress!
“It is really subjective, but then that’s what makes it a show for everyone.
“It’s getting to the point now where you just can’t call the bottom two — it’s quite a shock every week.”
She may be young, but Molly has been in showbusiness for a decade. Aged 11, she appeared as a singer on Britain’s Got Talent in 2012, finishing in sixth place overall.
In the process she impressed the judges so much that Simon Cowell paid for her to go to Sylvia Young Theatre School on a scholarship.
With that kind of experience she knew just what she was doing on Saturday as she transformed herself into a stunning siren. That saw her finish on the leaderboard behind fellow celebs Fleur East, Will Mellor and Hamza Yassin.
Molly’s run has made this year’s one of the most unpredictable series in the history of the show
Molly’s stunning looks have naturally seen her linked to other performers on Strictly, such as Tyler West
Fans have also linked her with Nikita Kuzmin, another professional dancer
She said: “This week was definitely a gamechanger. Before, I was just focusing on getting the steps right, but now I can commit to the character a bit more.” Molly, who plays the lead in CBBC drama Nova Jones, also got her highest score of the series — including a ten from head judge Shirley Ballas.
This week the show heads to the famous ballroom at Blackpool Tower — the first time they’ve been able to in two years due to Covid restrictions.
Molly will be performing a jive to the sound of Barry Manilow’s Bandstand Boogie with a more fun and cute theme.
Although her success last week was down to her incredible performance with partner Carlos Gu, Molly admits the dress helped too.
But she did worry that the revealing outfit would shock her father, former footballer Dave Rainford, who now works for the Premier League. Molly said: “My first thought was, ‘Is my dad going to like this dress?!’.
“He’d be like, ‘Molly, there’s quite a bit of skin out’.
“I think it’s probably the sexiest so far.
“Then I thought, ‘I’m just going to dance well and hope he’ll forget that high slit up the thigh’. Obviously I’m a woman now, but I’ll always be his little girl.
“Thankfully there were not any wardrobe malfunctions. You do have to have a lot of trust in the people in the costume department.
Thankfully they have everything covered, literally.
“Every week we’re all stitched into costumes — every zip and button fastened — and everything is always doubled up upon.
“They’ve been doing these things on Strictly for so long now that they know what they’re doing.
‘You’ve got abs now’
“Tape is occasionally used, too — when needs must. It’s basically like double-sided sticky tape.”
Molly has had the benefit of two months of gruelling dance training to ensure her body is in great shape, so flashing any flesh is not a problem.
She said: “Even Carlos said to me the other day, ‘You’ve got abs now’.
“You’re using different muscles than you’d think. You have to use your core to keep your balance.
“You don’t have to go to the gym, you just need a rumba — it’s the new Pilates. It’s given me the kick to get back into exercising, but it’s nice to see a bit of definition, I’m not going to lie.
“And it helps my confidence. I want to put on the best show I can.”
Her stunning looks have naturally seen her linked to other performers on Strictly, including pro Nikita Kuzmin, 24, and fellow celebrity Tyler West, 26.
She said: “Apparently everyone thinks I’m dating all the cast, but what time do we have to date anyone while we’re on this show?
“Anyone who’s squeezing it in, please share the tips. I want to know how you do it.
“They’re both lovely boys but I’m too busy for any of that.
“They’re both great, but all of the group are. My priority on this show is to dance and learn and put on a good performance.
“I didn’t factor any time in for romance, unfortunately.
“If it happened though, it wouldn’t be the end of the world.
“But I can’t see where I would fit it in and where it would happen.”
Instead, it has been many of the female celebrities she has turned to for support, including Fleur East, who has been like a big sister to her during the process.
She has also gained inspiration from Kym Marsh.
She said: “Kym has done so many things in her career — she was in a band singing, then went into acting and presenting and, like her, I’d just like to open as many doors as possible.
“I’d love to try presenting and then maybe a bit of radio or musical theatre.
“My ultimate love is music and performing, so to be able to combine that with my new skill of dancing would be great.”
Strictly Come Dancing continues tonight on BBC1 at 7.45pm.
