SHARING THEIR FIRST CHRISTMAS MOLLY RAINFORD AND TYLER WEST REVEAL SECRETS OF THEIR ROMANCE AND HOW THEY'RE READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Smiling adoringly at each other as they cosy up in front of a twinkling tree for their first Christmas together, it's hard to fathom that a little over a year ago, Molly Rainford and Tyler West were strangers.

- EMILY HORAN

Their love story is far from conventional, but it's certainly one of the most romantic. Because when actress and singer Molly and radio DJ Tyler signed up for Strictly Come Dancing in 2022, they each would have been dreaming of coming away with the Glitterball trophy - but instead they found love together.

And now, exclusively joining HELLO! for their first photoshoot and interview as a couple, Molly, 23, and Tyler, 27, reveal that they will be starting 2024 by taking a huge step forward in their relationship.

"We've just bought our first home together. It's mad to say that, but when you know, you know...it's the right time," Tyler tells us with a smile.

"We never saw this coming, but everyone who meets us says it's as though we've been together forever and that's exactly how it feels," adds EastEnders star Molly, displaying the same effervescence that endeared her to the nation when she made it to the 2022 Strictly final with her professional partner Carlos Gu.

Moving into their flat in East London in the new year will be the perfect way to mark their anniversary: Molly and Tyler went on their first date just before embarking on the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour last January.

INSTANT CHEMISTRY

Sparks had flown the moment they met in the corridors of Elstree Studios on their very first day on the show. Opening up for the first time about their fairytale romance, Tyler tells us: "I had no idea where I needed to be, then there was Molly right in front of me."

When the Strictly line-up had been announced, both of their friendship groups had joked that the other was a potential romantic interest - but the two had brushed it off.

"I just wanted to work hard and make great memories," the Kiss FM presenter recalls telling his mates. "But when I met Molly on the first day, I thought: 'Okay, it just got a bit more complicated."