Race Across the World Stars Reveal 'Little Things' Are Key to Happy Relationship
Celebrity couple and Race Across the World 2025 runners-up Molly Rainford and Tyler West have opened up about the secrets behind their successful relationship, emphasising that love is all about the "little things" and practical support rather than grand romantic gestures.
Research Shows Shift Away from Grand Romantic Displays
New research from Smart Energy GB reveals a significant cultural shift, with a massive 87% of British couples now prioritising small, everyday acts of affection over expensive, elaborate romantic displays. The poll of 2,000 adults found that grand gestures are increasingly viewed as outdated, with 37% describing them as nice but unnecessary and 15% finding them "cheesy or cringey."
According to the findings, the simple gestures that make couples feel most loved include:
- A kiss and a hug (44%)
- A home-cooked meal (31%)
- Going for a walk together (28%)
- Snuggling in bed or on the sofa (27%)
- Holding hands (23%)
- Receiving thoughtful notes and messages (20%)
Everyday Gestures That Strengthen Relationships
For Molly and Tyler, who came second to Roman Kemp and Harleymoon Kemp in Celebrity Race Across the World 2025, these everyday gestures proved crucial during their time on the show and continue to strengthen their relationship at home.
"When we were competing on Race Across the World with such a limited budget, it was those small, practical gestures such as helping keep track of our expenses, or looking after one another when we were unwell, that meant the most," the couple explained.
Molly added that this focus on practical support has carried over to their domestic life. "Whether it's taking care of the household admin or using our smart meter display to stay on top of our energy use. It's those tiny, everyday moments where we can help each other and have a laugh together, that make us feel cared for, not just on Valentine's Day."
Practical Support as a Modern Love Language
The research indicates that everyday administrative tasks have become a significant expression of love in modern relationships. An impressive 66% of people reported feeling loved when their partner takes on household responsibilities like ensuring bills are paid on time and managing energy consumption with a smart meter.
These helpful, practical gestures represent the favourite way to give and receive love for a quarter (24%) of those surveyed. For couples with smart meters, nearly half (46%) consider keeping on top of household energy usage as a meaningful way of showing they care, with smart meter owners reporting average annual savings of £176 on their energy bills.
Expert Insight on Practical Relationship Support
Victoria Bacon, director at Smart Energy GB, commented: "Our research shows that taking on some of the household admin can be a simple but meaningful way to show you care. Small, practical actions such as taking on responsibility for monitoring energy usage, ensuring bills are paid on time or sharing the load of everyday household tasks, can make your partner feel supported."
"With a smart meter display, households can get clear insight into their energy usage, making it easier to understand your energy consumption while staying in control of your bills," Bacon added, highlighting how practical tools can support relationship harmony through shared responsibility and financial awareness.
