Love has always been at the heart of Love Island, but for Molly Smith and Tom Clare, their story has become one of the show’s greatest success stories. After capturing the hearts of viewers and being crowned winners of Love Island: All Stars, the couple have gone from villa favourites to real-life soulmates, with their wedding now just around the corner.
We caught up with Molly and Tom just days before their intimate home ceremony and only weeks ahead of saying “I do” in August. Rather than asking the questions ourselves, we handed the interview over to the people who’ve followed every step of their journey – the fans. From wedding planning and life after the villa to the little quirks that make their relationship work, Molly and Tom answer the questions you’ve always wanted to ask, offering an honest, funny and heartwarming glimpse into the next chapter of their love story.
Can you remember how you felt when the offer first came in for you to do Love Island: All Stars, and could you have ever believed that this (getting married) would have been the outcome from going back on the show?
— Philip, Haworth
Molly: I remember being contacted by my manager when the offer came in, and I’ll be honest, at first I was quite reluctant about doing it! At the time I just didn’t think, or believe, I would meet someone. I hoped I would, but the likelihood of me actually finding someone like I did the first time seemed really unlikely, and… well, we all know that relationship didn’t work out (laughs). I just didn’t want to go through all of that again basically. But then I talked to some of my friends about it, and they were like: “let’s have a think about some of the people who they could have back on, and then see if there’s anyone that you think you might get on with…” So I had hope, but I obviously had no idea that it would end up like this. Now, I’m obviously so glad I did it!
Tom: So when I first heard about All Stars, me and Casey were in Ibiza…
Molly: Oh gosh, where’s this story going… (laughs).
Tom: One of the shows producers Coco got in touch and asked if we’d both do it. I’d recently become single so I was more open to the idea than he was. A few weeks passed by and conversations were had, but I still didn’t know if it was definitely happening. At the time I was living with Casey, and as I was getting my haircut in our apartment one morning, the call came in to say I’d got it, and then ten minutes later Casey got the same call! There and then we both just decided to just go for it, because we’d really loved the experience first time around. Having the opportunity to do it again felt like a no brainer, and it was incredible.
Molly: Did you ever think about who might be going in?
Tom: Yeah, after I knew I was doing it, I sat down with Casey and we really thought about it. And I actually remember being back in Barnsley with my two best mates and saying to them that I really hoped Molly was going to do it. But I honestly had no idea if she was! So when I went into the villa on the second day and saw Molly, and Callum’s, pictures on the board, I couldn’t believe it. We’ve been so lucky, the way things have panned out, it’s just amazing.
What’s the sweetest message you’ve ever received from a fan?
— Sarah in Liverpool
Molly: Recently I spoke out about having essential tremor, which is a common condition that causes involuntary shaking, and I was really touched by how many messages I got, thanking me for raising awareness about it because, as I’m learning, it’s something that affects a lot more people than you think. It’s hereditary, my Dad has it, but he was diagnosed a lot later than I was. When I first found out I had it, I was worried that I was so young, but now I know it’s just one of those things. I also get lots of lovely messages from people about Tom and I as a couple, which are always really sweet to read. We both really appreciate peoples kindness.
Tom: One that sticks out is when someone wrote to me saying: “Your Mum and Dad must be so proud, I hope when my son grows up he turns out like you.” That really touched me, but that’s credit to my parents. I was brought up to have strong morals, and to always show others respect, but unfortunately a lot of people haven’t, which I think is quite sad. So I’m happy that people can see I’m trying my best to live by the values my parents instilled in me as a kid.
Who’s funnier?
— Matthew, Devon
Molly: Oh Tom will say him, but I promise you it’s me, I’m really, really funny!
Tom: You are pretty quick and witty to be fair.
Molly: You’re more silly funny aren’t you? Like you’ll tickle me or do something stupid to get my attention, and that makes me laugh…
Tom: …whereas you’re really good with a comeback! It takes me and my brain a while to come up with a funny, witty one liner, but Molly’s a real natural at coming up with those killer lines that get you hysterically laughing.
Can you believe you’re actually getting married?
— Sally, Hebden Bridge
Molly: Oh my God, no I can’t!!!!! We say this all the time don’t we? Like, we can’t believe any of this is happening (laughs).
Tom: Sometimes we just look at each other and laugh at how mental our lives are!
Molly: It’s mad isn’t it? Like, I’m about to become a whole wife!!!!
Tom: And you’re gonna be changing your name… you’re going to be a Mrs!
Molly: I know! If someone had told me before I went on All Stars that I was going to walk into that villa and meet the love of my life, my future husband… I just wouldn’t have believed it!! It’s so surreal.
If you had to describe your relationship in three emojis, which ones would you choose?
— Ellie, Manchester
Molly: I would use the crying laughing face, the white heart because I always think of it as being pure, and the upside down smiley face.
Tom: That’s cute. I’d pick the heart with the flames on it, the crying laughing face, and the upside down smiley face.
How do you approach the future? Or do you prefer to live in the moment?
— Michael, Sunderland
Tom: We like to find a balance between planning for what’s to come, and being present in the here and now. I always think it’s important to recognise where you’re at, and be happy in the moment because life passes by so quickly, you don’t want to miss any of it worrying about what’s to come do you? We do take time out every now and then to set goals for the future, both as a couple and as individuals, we’re into manifesting things.
Molly: I’m a massive believer in manifesting! We make our own manifestation boards for what we want our future to look like. But we don’t put loads of pressure on ourselves to make sure we meet each of those goals in a certain amount of time. We are quite focused on what we want our future to look like, but we’re not too regimented in how we go about making things happen.
Tom: I can actually see the first board we made as I’m talking to you now, and it’s mad how much we’ve ticked off of it.
Do you ever watch clips from the show together, and if so, who gets more embarrassed?
— Georgia, Skipton
Molly: We have actually watched the series back, and there are definitely a few bits that I cringe at! The heart rate challenge is something I still get embarrassed about (laughs).
Tom: It’s so weird to see how we were in the beginning of our relationship.
Molly: I look at us as being completely different people now.
Tom: I was definitely trying to play it cool…
Molly: …Tom was trying to play it SO cool! I always say it’s like he’s catfished me because the way he acts now… he’s so strange (laughs). It’s like he’s not the same person I met in the villa.
Tom: I cringe watching back a lot of our deep conversations. Not so much about the things we were saying to each other, because I think it’s great that we were being so honest, it’s more the idea of everyone else being able to hear what we talked about.
What’s one piece of relationship advice you’d give to fans looking for love?
— James, Wimslow
Molly: I always think it’s best to not look for love. Which I know sounds silly, but I feel like the less pressure you put on yourself to find someone, the more likely it is they will find you. Love always comes when you least expect it, and I think our relationship is proof of that.
Tom: I’d say don’t ever change yourself as a person for someone else. And don’t settle either – it’s better to be happy on your own, rather miserable in a relationship.
Molly: In the September before I went on All Stars I made a list of non-negotiable’s, all the things I wanted, and all the things that I wouldn’t settle for anymore. I looked at it about six months after we came out of the villa, and Tom ticked every box. It’s mad to think everything I manifested I got in Tom.
Tom: It’s important to say that our relationship, isn’t perfect – no relationship is! We have our moments where we bicker and disagree, but it’s how we communicate our way through those things that matters. People are happy to present a picture perfect image on social media, and I don’t like that, I don’t think it’s fair to represent something that’s unattainable.
Apart from your own, do you have a favourite series of Love Island?
— Laura, Leeds
Molly: To be fair I was pretty invested in the show from season 2 onwards! But I think season 5 was that one turned me from a regular viewer, into a real fan. It just had everything didn’t it? The lineup that year was amazing.
Tom: Yeah, I’d say the same to be fair. The season 5 islanders got everyone talking didn’t they? It was like a real moment in the shows history.
Beach honeymoon or city honeymoon?
— Richard, Crewe
Tom: Oh for me it’s definitely gotta be a beach honeymoon, because I don’t wanna be trailing around a city all day! I’ll be honest, I’d much rather be on the beach relaxing, doing nothing.
Molly: Tom loves a beach holiday! If I even so much as suggest a city break, he’s like “erm… yeah it looks good, but I really like this beach though!”
Tom: White sand, clear sea, beautiful sunshine, some nice music playing, a little Hugo Spritz… what’s not to love?
Molly, what’s the most “Tom” thing Tom does every day?
— Janet, Shrewsbury
Molly: That’s a funny question, I like that! Tom is always pulling silly faces and acting up to try to annoy me, and wind me up… but in a really funny and cute, affectionate way (laughs). He’ll go out of his way to do something super random, just to get my attention… like I’ll be working on something, just minding my own business, and out of nowhere he’ll appear and make some kind of weird noise or dive on me, and I’m like: “Seriously, Tom, what are actually doing?” (Laughs). I love it though, he’s always making me laugh, and keeping me entertained.
Who’s more competitive?
— Helen, Glasgow
Molly: Probably Tom. But only because I think it’s been drilled into him from his football days to always try to win. I’m usually pretty chilled out about things to be fair, but there are times when we’re workout together that I’m secretly feeling super competitive, and desperately wanting to beat him (laughs).
Tom: I think we’re both pretty competitive actually. If Molly ever beats me at something, I can’t always hide my frustration and I’m like “damn!” (laughs). But it’s a good kind of frustration, because it spurs me on to want to do better. Molly’s right though, with my football, it was always drilled into me that you get nothing for second place. And I know that sounds really bad, and I don’t always agree with that way of thinking but… I do like to win!
Molly: Oh he’s a sore looser for sure! If ever one of his friends beats him at something, he comes home in a really bad mood (laughs).
Can we expect to see any of the Love Island alumni on the guest list at your wedding?
— Mags, Horsforth
Tom: Yeah of course! Casey, Sophie Piper and Josh Richards will be there.
Molly: And Mitch will be there too!
Tom: To be honest, we don’t have a ton of friends from the show. We like everyone, and everyone great but everyone’s scattered about all over the place.
Molly: Yeah, when you come off the show, you all go back to the cities you live in and your normal lives, so it’s hard to keep in regular contact with everyone. We see people when we can, and it’s always really lovely to bump into people at different events and stuff.
Molly, I’m getting married on New Year’s Eve 2027, everyone keeps telling me the first thing I need to do is find my wedding dress. I’m worried about buying one too soon in case my taste or body changes. Did you feel a pressure to find the perfect dress?
— Sandra, Stevenage
Molly: Yes I definitely felt a pressure, mainly because I haven’t had that much time to shop for one! So we got engaged last September, and we’re getting married in August, but we only seriously started planning the wedding in December, so really, we haven’t even had a full year to sort everything… why have we done this to ourselves? (Laughs).
Tom: I remember you saying to someone once, wait to find your dress until you’ve found the venue.
Molly: Yeah, I think that’s true actually. You need to be able to imagine what you’re going to look like on the day, and until you find the right venue, I don’t think you can envision any of that. So yeah, I’d say wait until you’ve got some solid venue ideas, and then go dress shopping.
Tom: There’s a lot of pressure on women to find the “perfect” dress isn’t it?
Molly: There is a lot of pressure, but I think it’s important to remember that there’s really no such thing as perfect, and of course how your dress looks is important, but it’s more important that you feel good wearing it. So I think you should try on as many different styles and fits as possible, even if you think something won’t suit you, try it because you never know, you might be surprised.
Tom: You enjoyed dress shopping though didn’t you?
Molly: Yeah I did actually. And typically, the dress I ended up picking, was the first dress I ever tired on (laughs). Another tip a friend gave me was to not keep any photos of the dress on my phone, because there’s that danger that I’d keep looking at it and talk myself out of it. I know it’s a cliche, but when you find the right dress, you’ll know, so don’t put too much press on yourself.
Tom, I’m super nervous to say my vows, and deliver my grooms speech in front of so many people. Do you have any tips on how to manage my nerves on the day?
— David, Swansea
Tom: My number one tip would be to read slowly because it will help people to listen to your words, at the same pace as you’re speaking them. Long words out, take as many pauses and deep breaths as you need, go at your own pace! You set the tone for how you deliver your speech, no-one else, so don’t be too worried or concerned about it, it’s your moment to say how you feel. And don’t forget, everyone in the room is there to support you, they’ll want you to do a good job, so try not to get too in your head about it. Just take your time, and don’t be in a rush to finish, make the most of everything you want to say, because it will be over in a flash.
Molly: I love that! That’s really good advice. I also think, the faster you read, the more likely you are to make a mistake, so like Tom said, take your time and go at your own pace. You’ll smash it David!
If your relationship had a movie title, what would it be?
— Marcus, Bingley
Molly: Do you know what’s so funny, Tom got a movie poster made for me one Christmas, that’s like a spoof of our relationship! And the title on it is, ‘Tom And Molly’ – which I guess isn’t all that imaginative (laughs) but I like that it’s simple, and doesn’t overcomplicate things.
Tom: The tagline says: “From strangers to finding their person in life! This story lasts a lifetime. Nothing but love, laugher and happiness. These two are going to take over the world, this is just the beginning!”
Molly: That’s so cute isn’t it? We always joke that since we’ve been off the show, our life has been like one long adventure, so maybe we should call our film: “Tom and Molly: One Long Adventure”.
How different do you think your lives would be if you hadn’t gone back into the Love Island villa?
— Lottie, Ipswich
Molly: I think I’d still be single (laughs).
Tom: And I don’t think I’d be living in this country.
Molly: You’ve said that before… I feel a bit responsible for the fact that Tom still lives in Manchester!
Tom: You shouldn’t feel that way, there’s nowhere else I’d want to be than with you. You to me are home, so wherever you are that now feels like home. When I say I don’t think I’d be living in this country, I mean it more like I think I would have sought out a different challenge. Maybe I’d be a surfer, or a surf instructor, so that would have meant me moving away somewhere else.
Molly: I’m just so thankful we both made the decision because look at where we are now!
Tom: It’s mad to think that we both had to go on our original series’ separately, go through what we went through, to be able to be invited back onto All Stars, and end up where we are today!
Molly: Our timelines somehow aligned, and we honestly couldn’t be happier.
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