Ex-TOWIE star Frankie Sims, unlike some other friends, embraced turning 30 – and is excited about the future, including the prospect of tying the knot with her handsome beau Billy…
Frankie Sims partners with Frankie and Benny’s to share her first date do’s and don’ts
Frankie Sims is striding into her thirties with a fresh mindset, a new man and zero time for drama. The former TOWIE regular, who has previously dated ex-Love Island star Jack Fincham and footballer Luke Paris, is now loved-up with handsome City boy Billy Jones, 30. She reportedly met him through her friend, one-time Islander Shaughna Phillips.
The pair, who have been dating since May 2024, finally went Instagram official last December. Not only have they already moved in together, they exclusively tell OK!. but they’re also busy planning their future, with Frankie telling us that marriage and babies are on the cards – even if there’s “no timeline”. “I know that it’s what I want for my future,” Frankie says. “When it’s meant to happen, it’ll happen.”
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Since shooting to fame alongside her sister, Demi, on The Only Way Is Essex back in 2019, Frankie has been no stranger to reality TV turmoil. From fiery on-screen romances to her and Demi’s explosive fallout with sister Chloe during the second series of their LA-set reality show, House Of Sims, there’s rarely been a dull moment. Here, Frankie, who now runs her own beauty business, tells us why she’s carving out a more peaceful life for her and Billy, and how turning 30 helped her finally find her confidence.
Hi, Frankie! Things seem to be going very well between you and Billy…
They are! We moved in together this year and it’s amazing – now we’re looking to buy somewhere. After that we’ll obviously have kids and get married, but we’re not putting pressure on ourselves. We know that we both want it, but we haven’t put a timeline on when it should happen. We’ve got a lot to do before then!
What makes you work so well as a couple?
It just feels like a really healthy relationship. I knew from the first week he was The One. It was like I had a confirmation within myself, “Yeah, this is The One.” Everything is just so simple and he makes me feel really secure and happy. Everything is just falling into place, as it should.
Is this a new experience for you in terms of boyfriends?
When you have a relationship like this, you look back at your past relationships and realise that it’s completely different to anything I’ve had before. But I’ve taken a lot of lessons from any relationship that I’ve had in the past and brought those lessons into this relationship. Maybe that’s why it’s working.
Are you quite traditional, in terms of marriage first, then babies?
I’m not traditional at all. I’m not putting any expectations on myself or anyone else. I’m not thinking, “Right, I have to be ‘this age’ when I get married or have kids.” I’m a firm believer that everything comes into your life at the right time – and I’ll be there with open arms.
If you could give one piece of advice to teenage Frankie, what would it be?
To stay true to who you are and that who you are is enough. Because being in your twenties, being on TV and having to deal with things like trolling, you lose who you are and lose your confidence.
What do you do to look after your mental health?
I like to take time out just for myself. Recently, I’ve been doing something once a month that’s just for me – something that makes me feel completely relaxed and reset. Last month I went for an hour-long lymphatic drainage facial massage. I think I was holding a lot of stress in my face, so I actually walked out feeling so much more relaxed. I’ve also been to a soundbath therapy session, which was amazing. It’s about putting life on pause for a second and finding a way to take the stress off your shoulders.
So how did you really feel about turning 30 earlier this year?
I was really excited about it. Usually people dread it – I’ve seen people throw a funeral, it’s very dramatic. But I was looking forward to being 30 because everyone told me it’s a decade about finding confidence in yourself and loving who you are. So I chose to think of it as, “I’m going into a whole new era, I’m a 30-year-old woman and this is who I am!”
Tell us about celebrating Frankie & Benny’s 30th birthday campaign…
Well, we both turned 30 this year. It was like a full-circle moment because I used to go to Frankie & Benny’s in Romford when I was growing up. It’s where I found my love of food and now food is definitely my love language. I took Billy back to the restaurant in Essex because of the Love At First Bite new menu and it was so much fun showing him where I spent so many celebrations when I was younger.
Food is an excellent love language, in our opinion!
Haha, it is. I want to show someone that I care for them, so I want them to be fed. I want to cook for them, or go out and enjoy different flavours or eating experiences.
Frankie has teamed up with Frankie & Benny’s to celebrate their joint 30th birthday and her love of New York Italian food. To find your nearest restaurant visit https://www.frankieandbennys.com/restaurants
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