Inspirational tv reality star, disability model and former Nailsea School student Mollie Pearce led Nailsea carnival parade on Saturday, July 6, carrying a collecting bucket for Crohn’s & Colitis UK.

The 22-year-old also helped judge the entries which assembled in the Clevedon Road car park from midday ready for the grand procession through the town centre.

The weather threatened all day with a short, sharp shower earlier but in the end all was well.

Thanks go to all the marvellous participants, scout and girl guide troops, the behind-the-scenes organising committee and all the individuals who made this a wonderful community event.

Thanks go also to the businesses who donated and/or bought space in the carnival programme. We have added a slideshow of the winners collecting their certificate at Millennium Park together with all our slideshows from the day in the gallery HERE.

Since the 1960s the event has been a firm fixture on Nailsea’s fundraising calendar although 2024 initially posed a few hiccups with a manpower shortage.

But all’s well that ends well and everything was in place for a great day thanks to 1st Nailsea Scouts aided by a small army of volunteers who came forward at the 11th hour to save the day.

Since being a finalist in the BBC show The Traitors hosted by Claudia Winkleman, Mollie has made multiple personal appearances on radio and television including a role in a skit broadcast for Red Nose Day but this is her first official Nailsea date although she has been spotted in the Beauty Rooms, Sawyers pub and local gym. 

Good sport Mollie has also competed in several challenging endurance tests involving tough terrain running and abseiling for charity.

But best of all with an Instagram following that went from a mere 2,000 to more than 102,000 with many fashion houses and cosmetic companies seeking her help promoting their products.

She has featured in numerous glossy magazines making her THE face of 2024.

And now it is rumoured that the BBC bosses reportedly want a star from The Traitors to compete on the next Strictly Come Dancing – fingers-crossed it’s Mollie.

Mollie acting as a Faithful won the nation's hearts when she trusted double-dealing Harry Clarke too much and lost out on a share of the £95,000 jackpot on The Traitors.

A source close to the Strictly production team is reported as saying: 'Mollie's presence would also be a hugely positive moment of representation for people, like her, who have a disability.

“But, just as with The Traitors, she first has to fend off the competition from rivals like Harry.”

As well as the colourful and noisy carnival parade there was a great turnout at the fair with lots of stalls, games, refreshments, live music at Millennium Park and a giant car boot sale.

Nailsea People has a special page devoted to What Mollie Did Next HERE.

And you will find lots of carnival photos from various years in the galleries.