Molly Rainford will be heading behind the bar of the Queen Vic (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
A new family is set to descend on Albert Square to take over the iconic Queen Vic pub in EastEnders.
Ever since Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) vanished at sea over Christmas, we’ve all been wondering what’s going to the establishment and who will join the league of famous landladies and men who have graced the bar.
As it happens, a brand new family is destined to take over – and their arrival is imminent.
They’re called the Knights, and their arrival tonight (June 1) is set to be chaos as they make an impact from the moment they step foot on the Square.
Now we know who Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) has teamed up with her mum Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) to take over the Vic, and Elaine has brought along her lover and his two daughters for the ride.
One of the new stars set to appear in the soap is Molly Rainford – but who is she, and who will she play?
Here’s what you need to know.
Who is Molly Rainford?
Molly, 22, first rose to fame in 2012 as a finalist on the sixth series of Britain’s Got Talent when she was just 11 years old.
Molly wowed audiences as a youngster when she appeared on Britain’s Got Talent (Picture: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Following her stint on the talent show, she became the presenter of Friday Download between 2014 and 2015.
In 2021, she starred in CBBC comedy-drama series Nova Jones as the show’s titular character.
She took part in the latest series of Strictly last year, and – despite being in the bottom two four times – made it to the final with partner Carlos Gu.
Molly and her partner Carlos Gu reached the finals of Strictly Come Dancing (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock)
Aside from her life on screen, Molly has also released two E.Ps – Commitment in 2019, and Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) the following year – as well as a non-album single Sign Your Name.
Molly is the daughter of Dave Rainford, a former footballer who now works for the Premier League.
Who will she play in EastEnders?
Molly will play one of two daughters of George Knight (Colin Salmon), called Anna.
The actor will play Anna Knight, one of George’s daughters (Picture: PA)
His character has been described as ‘fun, loveable, and big-hearted, but don’t underestimate her’.
On arriving in the Square, she and sister Gina (Francesca Henry) turn heads – including that of Bobby Beale (Clay Milner Russell) as he becomes instantly smitten with them.
However, Anna and Gina draw Kathy Beale’s (Gillian Taylforth) attention for a totally different reason.
They find themselves facing her wrath when they bring chihuahua Tyson into the café.
The girls will arrive with a bump in the Square (Picture: PA)
When they head back to the Queen Vic, the reception isn’t much better when they try to get the party started – unbeknownst to the fact that the mood is low following the death of Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold) following her cancer battle.
On joining EastEnders, Molly said: ‘I’m super excited to be joining the cast of EastEnders. It’s such an iconic show which myself and my family love, so it’s an honour to bring the character Anna Knight to life who is set to stir up drama upon her arrival.
‘I’ve already met a few familiar faces from my time on Strictly and I can’t wait to meet and be a part of the EastEnders family.’
Who is Molly’s boyfriend?
After meeting during their stint on Strictly last year, Molly and co-star Tyler West confirmed their relationship earlier this year.
Molly is dating her Strictly co-star Tyler West (Picture: Instragram/@mollyrainford)
There were reports that the pair had been flirting backstage while filming the 20th series despite Molly being ‘banned’ from dating, but it was believed they had been getting closer since they hit the road for the Strictly live tour.
Radio DJ Tyler, 26, posted an adorable TikTok confirming the pair were dating in March which saw the couple getting cozy.
Ahead of her EastEnders stint, Tyler praised Molly and branded himself the actor’s ‘biggest fan.’
Appearing on Lorraine on Wednesday (May 31), Tyler told host Ranvir Singh that tomorrow was a ‘big day’ for the couple.
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He replied: ‘Honestly I am so proud and she is also very excited for it,’ when asked about the role.
When asked about what it will be like to see her on-screen again, Tyler gushed about his girlfriend.
‘I am well excited,’ he said while saying how they had plans to tune in together.
‘I am like her biggest fan. She makes my heart smile with it all.
‘I am so proud of her and she deserves it and I feel like it’s a real big moment.’
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The Knights are arriving on the Square tonight.