Love Island star Molly Marsh was arguably one of the breakout stars of the summer 2023 series. Remember when she was brutally dumped from the villa (indirectly) by Kady McDermott after she stole Zach Noble from her?
Then Love Island bosses chucked Molly into Casa Amor in that high pony and leopard print bikini to get revenge (we totally called that, btw).
Molly's whole Love Island journey was set up to give baddie, but let's be honest, from the get-go we all struggled to digest that 'character' assignment for her as she gives hardcore theatre kid/children's presenter energy through and through. So, a more energetic Sharpay Evans at best.
In fact, we vividly remember having a team meeting to discuss the first episode of Love Island 2023 (we pinch ourselves every day - not a spreadsheet in sight in our line of work) and all of the Closer team agreed that this theatre queen was destined to work in children's telly.
And a year and half later, here we are...
Taking to her Instagram story this week, the reality star and influencer revealed her next career move and, yep, she's got a presenting gig with CBBC.
Posting a very colourful snap of herself, Molly wrote, 'I’ll see you over on @CBBC Saturday Mashup this Saturday!! Let’s hope I don’t leave full of slime!! 😆🙏🏼🩷✨ #SarturdayMashup #CBBC EEEKKKKKK.'
According to the BBC, Saturday Mashup sees Joe Tasker, Shereen Cutkelvin and Stanley the Monster host 'the live entertainment show where anything can happen'. Viewers can expect 'huge celebrities, games, the best cartoons and lots of slime'.
Sounds very Molly Marsh. Go on, girl.
Speaking of Molly's latest career venture, a source close to the Love Island star told Closer online, 'Molly has always dreamt of being a children's TV presenter, and she has been working really hard to make this dream become a reality. When she got the call for CBBC Mash Up she was over the moon, and this is just the beginning when it comes to her working relationship with the channel. Molly is good friends with another presenter of the show, Joe Tasker, and they are really looking forward to the prospect of working together more.
'Molly has been approached to do a number of shows since the Love Island final, but has wanted to hold off until the right opportunities presented themselves. 2025 is going to be a big year for Molly as she makes her way back on our screens and continues to release new music.'
Just last month, Molly hit headlines once again when the world got wind that the reality star had been busy behind-the-scenes working on music. Around Halloween, heat caught up with Molly to talk about her debut single, Werewolf, and her relationship with her Love Island bae, Zach (who recently had to deny engagement rumours, btw).
Speaking of boyfriend Zach, she told the publication, 'You get told you're incompatible and [told] you're from different worlds so many times. It's like, how many times can I hear this? People not actually understanding how we feel.
'I think at this point I can breathe. What we said all along is hopefully showing through because I think people did underestimate us from the beginning.'
Not us, btw. We love High School Musical.
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Ben Pulsford is a digital writer for Bauer Media, writing for both Closer online and heatworld. When he's not getting paid to gossip about Big Brother, Love Island and The Real Housewives of Cheshire, he's storming the London LGBTQ+ scene as drag queen, Beary Poppins. Both Ben and Beary are awaiting an invite to join The Real Housewives of Cheshire for series 18. The budget's not there, but the drama is 💅.