Strictly Come Dancing star Molly Rainford got to take a break from the training room as she pushed her recent bottom two woes behind her to pick up her first-ever award. The singer and CBBC star attended the Variety Club Showbusiness Awards 2022 on Monday evening (November 21), just 24 hours after Strictly fans saw her saved in the dance-off for a third time.
Molly looked sensational as she stepped out at the star-studded event in London in a strapless blue tulle ball gown which featured ruffles and an uneven skirt to show off her toned pins. The former Britain's Got Talent child star added a pair of strappy silver heels to her extravagant look with gold accesories.
Molly, who is celebrating her 22nd birthday on Tuesday (November 22), also ramped up the glam as she wore her shiny blonde locks in Hollywood waves and added a bronzed glow with her makeup.
Molly won the Hello Silver Heart Award for Outstanding New Talent at the event which she told one of the magazine's reporters before heading into the ceremony was her first gong. Taking to Instagram afterward, Molly said she was 'feeling very grateful' for the recognition.
"Chapter 21 has been incredible down to the last minute," she penned in the caption of an Instagram post which featured a string of images and videos from the Variety awards. She went on: "I started the year by filming two new series of Nova Jones, then joined the Strictly family and finished it by winning my first ever award.
"I’m feeling so grateful and humbled. I’m so excited to see what chapter 22 has in store. Thank you to everyone that has been a part of my story so far." And her Strictly co-stars were among the first to show their support.
Professional dancer Katya Jones said: "What an amazing conclusion to your 21st! Congratulations and Happy birthday gorgeous girl!" Paralympic champion and Strictly star Ellie Simmonds wrote: " Happy birthday Mol!! Have the best day." Dancer Nanxcy Xu added: "Happy birthday Beautiful. And Congratulations."
Molly's success comes after she servived the dance-off alongside dance partner Carlos Gu during Strictly's results show on Sunday night. The pair found themselves having to dance again following a spectacular return to Blackpool for the hit BBC show. Molly and Carlos reperformed their jive to Bandstand Boogie by Barry Manilow, which had also achieved 35 points on Saturday night.
They were up against Tyler West and Dianne Buswell, who also scored 35 from the judges for their routine, a salsa to Megamix by KC and The Sunshine Band. After both couples had danced for a second time, three out of the four judges chose to save Molly and Carlos for a third time so far in the hit dance competition.
Craig Revel Horwood said he felt both couples danced “so much better” and that for the first time this series he was finding it difficult to choose, but he finally opted to save Molly and Carlos. Motsi Mabuse agreed the second performances were better but said she was basing her decision on technique styles and presentation. But Anton Du Beke said he felt both couples could have "easily made the final" and went against his fellow judges to save Tyler and Dianne as he felt they were "more dynamic".
This meant that head judge Shirley Ballas had the deciding vote, noting "this is probably one of the most difficult dance-offs that we’ve ever had to choose". But in the end, her vote went to save Molly and Carlos, explaining: “Both couples were outstanding, both improved their performances but I am going to go with what I believe in, and that is a quality of movement and precision in partnering.”
And some Strictly fans felt Tyler should have been saved over Molly due to the amount of times she has landed in the dance-off. @tessobr46 said: "The absolute wrong decision - ridiculous - I think Shirley felt that if she had went with Tyler she'd be accused of all sorts. Molly did not deserve to go through tonight - she's been in the bottom two for weeks now and based on the dance tonight alone Tyler should have gone through." @xx_.julia.b_xx added: "Absolutely wrong decision. She keeps ending up in the dance-off so she should go."
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