While not many Strictly Come Dancing viewers may have been familiar with her before the series started, Molly Rainford had everyone talking on Saturday night when she delivered a sensational first performance.
Molly will be known to youngsters across the land as intergalactic pop star Nova Jones, the star of a hit CBBC show, however older Strictly fans were happy to admit they weren't entirely sure who she was when her name appeared on the Strictly line-up this year. Given her TV alter ego is a music diva, some viewers who'd done their research tipped her as potential 'one to watch' and Molly certainly lived up to that billing as she took to the dancefloor with pro partner Carlos Gu for the first live show of the new series.
Molly and pro dance newcomer Carlos performed a sizzling samba to Anne-Marie and Little Mix hit Kiss My (Uh-Oh) an from beginning to end, their routine was packed full of content and laced with star quality. The judges fired a whole host of superlatives at the couple when they delivered their verdicts, with Motsi Mabuse looking particularly enthralled by what she saw.
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And the judges' comments were borne out with their scores, with Molly and Carlos getting two 8s and two 7s, seeing them soar past the Strictly couples that had danced before them and soaring straight to the top of the leaderboard.
Just like the judges, Strictly fans on Twitter couldn't get enough of the dance either. One posted: "Molly and Carlos were bloody amazing, wow! The energy, the routine, INCREDIBLE! Loving this new pro," with a second reacting: "Incredible Molly! 31 well deserved. Loving Molly & Carlos' partnership, exciting to see where they can go."
Talking about being on Strictly, Molly, who reached the Britain's Got Talent final at the age of just 11 back in 2012, said: "I'm so excited to be part of Strictly Come Dancing, I've watched it for years and can't wait to meet the pros and the others taking part! I can't wait to learn the moves and get dancing!”
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