Love Island Star Molly Smith Opens Up About Neurological Condition Ahead of Dream Wedding to Tom Clare

Molly Smith Reveals Hereditary Essential Tremor Diagnosis Just Weeks Before Her Wedding

The Love Island star is baring it all — and we mean all — just weeks before she says “I do.” Molly Smith, 31, has candidly shared her diagnosis of hereditary essential tremor, confessing that her nerves on the big day could make the condition “10 times worse.” The reality TV beauty, who captured hearts on Love Island All Stars, is set to marry footballer Tom Clare on August 22, two years after they met inside the villa.

Speaking on her podcast NearlyWeds, Smith got vulnerable about the genetic disorder she inherited from her father. “We shake really bad; it’s hereditary, we have an essential tremor and we do shake really bad,” she said, her voice tinged with both humor and honesty. “So it gets 10 times worse but my dad is the same so he’s going to be trying to hold me and I’ll be clinging to him and we’re both going to be like this [shakes] walking down the aisle. Can you imagine.”

What Is Hereditary Essential Tremor?

According to the Mayo Clinic, essential tremor is a nervous system disorder that causes uncontrollable rhythmic shaking. While it can affect any part of the body, it most often impacts the hands — making daily tasks like holding a cup, writing, or even applying makeup a challenge. For Smith, the condition adds an extra layer of anxiety as she prepares for her walk down the aisle, but she's facing it with characteristic grace and a dash of self-deprecating humor.

Smith explained that her tremor is genetic, passed down from her father. The condition is often worsened by stress and anxiety — two emotions that are likely to be sky-high on her wedding day. “When I get more nervous and anxious it gets worse,” she admitted. The thought of both her and her father trembling as they walk down the aisle has become a running joke between them, but the underlying reality is something she has learned to embrace.

A Love Story That Started in the Villa

Smith and Clare’s romance began on Love Island All Stars, the spin-off series that brought past contestants back for a second shot at love. The couple quickly became fan favorites, and their bond only strengthened after leaving the villa. In June, Clare gushed about his bride-to-be in an interview with OK! magazine, calling her “faultless.”

“I always say the real test is when you come out of the Villa and you’re faced with real life but with me and Molly I just knew from early on,” Clare shared. “We bought a house together after four months, I just knew. It was something I hadn’t felt before with anyone. I knew she was the woman I wanted to grow old with and spend the rest of my life with. We have the same interests, we get on, our families love each other. There’s not one fault really. I feel very lucky.”

The couple, who got engaged in September 2025 during a romantic beach proposal in Dubai, have been meticulously planning their big day. Their wedding date — August 22 — holds special meaning: it’s been a lucky number in Clare’s family for years, and both of their preferred venues were available on that date. “We just didn’t want any other date once we realized. We were like oh no, it has to be that date,” Smith told Tie the Knot Scotland.

Wedding Plans: Majorca, Iain Stirling, and a Name Change

Initially torn between the glamorous destinations of Mallorca and the south of France, the couple ultimately chose to marry on the breathtaking island of Majorca. The Spanish locale provides a stunning backdrop for what promises to be a star-studded affair. But the most intriguing detail? Clare revealed that he has spoken to Love Island narrator Iain Stirling about officiating the ceremony. Stirling, who is known for his witty voiceovers on the show, has experience serving as a celebrant for friends’ weddings, making him a perfect fit for the couple’s vision of a fun, intimate ceremony.

Smith also plans to take Clare’s last name, dropping the hyphen and embracing the moniker “Molly Clare.” “It’s got a good ring to it,” she said with a smile. The decision reflects her desire for the family to share the same name when they eventually have children — a detail that shows how deeply she and Clare are building a life together.

Key Details at a Glance

• Wedding Date: August 22, 2025 (a lucky number in Clare’s family)
• Location: Majorca, Spain (chosen over the south of France)
• Officiant: Possibly Iain Stirling, the voice of Love Island
• Name Change: Molly Smith will become Molly Clare
• Condition: Hereditary essential tremor, inherited from her father

A Journey of Vulnerable Moments and Real-Life Romance

Smith's openness about her neurological condition is a refreshing departure from the polished perfection often seen in celebrity weddings. By sharing her fears and her father’s similar trembling, she humanizes the experience — reminding fans that even stars have real struggles. The couple’s decision to marry on a date that holds family significance, and to involve a familiar face like Iain Stirling, shows that their wedding is as much about personal connection as it is about spectacle.

Clare’s unwavering support has been a pillar for Smith. “I knew she was the woman I wanted to grow old with,” he said, a sentiment that resonates deeply given her condition. Essential tremor is not life-threatening, but it can be socially debilitating. Knowing that Clare sees “not one fault” in her is a powerful testament to their love.

As the big day approaches, Smith continues to promote her podcast NearlyWeds, where she and Clare share intimate details of their wedding planning journey. The show has become a hit among fans, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the reality TV couple's transition from villa romance to real-life partnership.

With her diagnosis out in the open, Smith is also raising awareness about essential tremor — a condition that affects millions worldwide. By speaking candidly, she may inspire others to embrace their own vulnerabilities. And on August 22, when she walks down the aisle with her father, both of them shaking, there’s no doubt it will be a moment of pure, unfiltered love.

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