The Strictly Come Dancing final airs tonight with four remaining celebrities dancing it out to be named champion of the 2022 series. It hasn't been an easy journey for the glitterball trophy hopeful Molly Rainford after being in the dance-off four times.
But the finalist has proven her worth to both the public voters and the meticulous judging panel after stepping up her game in recent weeks. The CBBC presenter has had immense support from her family, especially her no.1 fan gran, as well as her BBC co-stars.
Rhys Stephenson, also a CBBC presenter, took part in last year's Strictly competition and gave the 22-year-old an important piece of advice for going far in the dancing show. He reached the semi-final with professional partner Nancy Xu so knows all about the toll of difficult training sessions.
Sharing his words of wisdom, Rhys, 29, explained to the singer and actress that she shouldn't overcomplicate things.
He told the D aily Star at the TV Choice Awards last month: "I was just telling her one thing - don't do anything too complicated.
"If you feel like you can't then don't because on the night it'll just mess with your head.
"I said just take it easy and be kind to herself and to respect the time you get off.
"Do nothing, doing nothing is so important because you are doing something by resting."
Molly's family will be cheering her on tonight, especially her proud grandmother Doreen Rainford - who was the first to discover the performer was taking part in the series.
The 82-year-old had to keep her lips sealed for three weeks before the big news was announced.
Speaking to the Mirror, she explained that it had been a struggle to keep quiet.
She said: "I was told about her going on Strictly before everyone and I had to keep it quiet, which was very hard – because I'm a gossip. I don't know how I did, but I did."
Doreen, who still has the signed photo Molly gave her when she competed on Britain's Got Talent, said they still have a very close bond.
She used to look after her granddaughter at weekends when Molly's dad - Dave Rainford, who played for Chelmsford City - was playing football and her mum was watching from the sidelines.
Doreen now watches Molly on Nova Jones every week – despite not understanding what it's about and she will certainly be tuning in to tonight's highly-anticipated Strictly final.
"If she's on telly we watch it," she added.
"As soon as they give the numbers [on Strictly] I'm going to write them down so I can vote. Whatever they throw at Molly she'll take it."
The Strictly Come Dancing final commences at 7.05pm on Saturday, December 17 on BBC One.
