Love Island's Molly Marsh on 'saving' her relationship with Zach - 'We're stronger now'

They may not have bagged the top spot on Love Island last year, but Molly Marsh and Zachariah Noble certainly have the last laugh. As one of the few remaining couples from their series, it's clear to see they are more in-love than ever before.

“We’re definitely stronger now," Molly exclusively tells OK! with a big grin. "We've even got a dog together now."

The road to romance, however, hasn't been an easy one for Molly and Zach after the two lovebirds met during the summer series of Love Island. Molly entered the villa on day one and Zach followed shortly after as the first new arrival of the show. Making it all the way to the end, with a short departure from Molly in between and finishing in fourth place, they then embarked on a long-distance relationship. Zach, 27, lived in his home city of London and Molly stayed with her family in Doncaster - but seeing 'each other at weekends'.

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After months of being apart, the pair split in March this year, just seven months into their relationship. However, after ‘parting as friends’, it appeared they couldn’t be without one another and quickly picked things up again. After a brief split, Molly and Zach have taken some major steps in their relationship, including moving in together back in August.

“It’s the best thing Zach and I have ever done for our relationship,” the 23-year-old explains. “When you think about it, we fell in love in reverse. When we were on Love Island we lived together, really, then you go your separate ways and get to know each other more. It was completely backwards.

“It’s been easier for us to live together than be apart because that’s what we were used to every day in the beginning. I was in bed with him every night then that changed."

After a few weeks of living together, the couple took the next step in their relationship by starting their own little family. Adding a ‘fur baby’ to the mix - who Molly previously dubbed as their ‘son’ - they have welcomed an adorable Doberman puppy, Scooby.

“Oh, for sure,” Molly replies when we asked if she and Zach had adopted ‘dog mum and dad’ roles. “The funny thing is though I’m actually allergic to dogs so I need to take like three antihistamines a day. Everyone’s like ‘Why did you get him if you’re allergic?’ But it’s so worth it. He’s the best.”

Becoming famous overnight though, especially for TikTok star Molly, was something she struggled with in the early days following Love Island. Thankfully, having Zach by her side definitely helped.

“When I first came out [of the villa], I noticed how much my confidence had changed - and not for the better. I was much more confident before the show and less so now. I care more now, especially about what other people think. There’s more eyes on me now, it’s a strange feeling.

“Zach just lets things wash over him. He just doesn't care at all, which is good. Thankfully things are positive now but at the beginning if there was any negativity [on social media], I’d never read the comments.

“He would be the one to say ‘Someone has commented something, it’s not very nice, do you want to know?’ Then I’d say ‘Do I need to know what it is or is everything OK?’ If it didn’t impact me or anything going on, I wouldn’t want to know. Zach shielded me from that.”

Although Molly rose to fame on reality TV, she has since launched a career as a popstar and just released her debut single, Werewolf, after being scouted by a music producer during her appearance on Britain Get Singing last December. These days Molly is working hard in the studio writing and recording - but it’s been a hard graft to get here, with her career beginning at just 15 years old.

“I started out on an app called Musical.ly and I'd do funny videos. I’d record them after school with my sister Maisie and we’d lip-sync, dress up in daft costumes and just have fun. I eventually got verified on the app - there were only maybe 500 odd creators on there at the time - and life was gorgeous. There was no negativity, everything was positive and everyone created videos for fun,” Molly told us on her trip to Scotland for the Space to Create brand dinner at AC Marriott Glasgow.

“Musical.ly then changed to TikTok and my audience just grew from there. At the same time I went to drama school to do musical theatre and I really wanted to become a children’s TV presenter. I was trying everything to make it happen - I’d be working behind the scenes of shows like Britain’s Got Talent, I got a job at Haven where I hosted kids’ shows in the evening. It was amazing but it just wasn’t going to pay my bills forever.

“When Love Island came along, I just thought ‘I’m going to go for it and apply’. I was just 21 at the time and then my life obviously took a massive swerve. Now I'm writing music and doing pop, so it’s like I’ve my finger in a lot of pies. I just want to give everything a go, if I’m honest. I’d love to do a West End show too but I’m also pursuing my music.”

And as for closing the door on reality TV, her life on screen has only just begun. "I said to Zach I’d love for us to do Celebrity SAS together, it’d be so much fun. I'd love to win it and just be like, ‘Yeah, I'm stronger than you,'" she laughs.