When Molly Smith and Tom Clare met on Love Island: All Stars in early 2024, viewers watched the beginning of what would quickly become one of the show’s most talked about relationships. Now, just over a year later, their story has taken its most romantic turn yet.
On September 3rd 2025, Tom proposed to Molly during a candlelit evening on the beach in Dubai. With the sea just metres away and a violinist playing softly in the background, the moment was carefully planned but deeply personal. Friends watched quietly from the shadows as Tom got down on one knee, capturing a proposal that felt as cinematic as the love story that led to it.
Since leaving the villa, the couple’s relationship has only grown stronger. What began in front of millions quickly settled into real life, with the pair building a life together away from the cameras while still sharing moments of their journey with the audience who first watched them fall in love.
Now, as they step into this next chapter, Molly and Tom are bringing their relationship to the much-loved NearlyWeds podcast, offering listeners an unfiltered glimpse into engagement, wedding planning and life together before the aisle.
Our editor Kendra Leaver-Rylah sat down with the newly engaged couple to talk about the moment their story first began, the unforgettable Dubai proposal that Molly says felt “like a dream”, and the wedding plans now joyfully beginning to take shape.
The Story
Molly and Tom’s relationship began in front of millions when they met on Love Island: All Stars in early 2024. While the villa might not be the most traditional setting for the start of a relationship, their connection quickly became one of the most talked-about stories of the series.
Tom remembers the moment Molly first walked in with absolute certainty, insisting he knew instantly she was the one. Molly, however, laughs at his version of events, reminding him that their first interaction was not quite so smooth. In fact, Tom completely blanked her when she entered the villa, something he now blames entirely on nerves.
Despite the slightly awkward beginning, their connection grew quickly. Since leaving the show the couple have built a life together away from the cameras, recently celebrating their two year anniversary. For Tom, the pace of their relationship never felt rushed. “When you know, you know,” he says simply.
Dropping Hints
Although the proposal itself came as a surprise, conversations about the future had always been part of their relationship. The couple had often found themselves talking naturally about what life together might look like, from marriage to family and everything in between.
Molly explains that those conversations almost felt like speaking their future into existence. Tom agrees, admitting he would sometimes jokingly refer to Molly as his wife long before the proposal actually happened.
For him, knowing they wanted the same things mattered. Marriage, family and building a life together were always part of the picture, and the question was never really if it would happen but when.
The Proposal
When the moment finally came, Tom chose Dubai as the setting. The proposal took place on the beach at night, where he had quietly arranged the most romantic scene. A violinist played softly nearby while flowers framed the shoreline, creating something that felt cinematic yet completely personal to them.
Behind the scenes, a small team had helped bring the plan together. Friends watched discreetly from a distance, hidden from view while capturing the moment on camera.
For Tom, everything unfolded just as he had hoped. Calm, beautiful and perfectly timed.
For Molly, the whole experience felt almost surreal. She laughs now remembering how little she actually took in. The only moment she recalls with complete clarity was hearing Tom describe her as his best friend before asking the question.
For a few seconds she simply stood there, staring at the ring as the reality of it all began to sink in. Then came the answer Tom had been hoping for.
Celebrations
After the proposal, the couple had a celebratory dinner booked in Dubai. In reality, neither of them could quite focus on the food. Still completely wrapped up in the moment, the meal was barely touched as they sat there together, floating somewhere on that cloud nine bubble that follows a proposal.
Instead, the evening became something far sweeter. A few drinks, lots of laughter, and the slightly surreal realisation that their lives had just shifted into a brand new chapter.
They briefly spoke about hosting an engagement party, but life has quickly filled with exciting new plans, including the launch of their new podcast. For now, they are simply enjoying the glow of being newly engaged. As Molly puts it, it is the loveliest kind of feeling, that quiet moment where everything suddenly feels different in the very best way.
The Outfit
That night almost looked very different. Molly had originally planned to wear a super cool green embellished dress for dinner, something a little more statement. But as she was getting ready, Tom casually suggested another option: a creamy white dress he thought would suit the evening better.
Molly nearly (!) ignored him. She even remembers thinking she might save the white dress for another night of the trip. But in the end, she chose it anyway, partly because she loved how well it coordinated with Tom’s look.
Looking back now, it felt perfectly in sync with the moment.
Wedding Plans So Far
While the details of the wedding are still very much in the early stages, one decision has already been made. Molly and Tom know they want to marry abroad. At the moment the couple are quietly deciding between two destinations, going back and forth between ideas as they begin to imagine what their celebration might look like.
For now, the finer details are being kept under wraps. In fact, the couple plan to reveal more about their wedding plans in the second episode of their new NearlyWeds podcast, where listeners will get the first glimpse into how the day is beginning to take shape.
After a romance that began in front of millions and led to a candlelit proposal on the beaches of Dubai, it feels only fitting that the next chapter of Molly and Tom’s story will continue to unfold with their audience right alongside them.
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