Latest news with #NickCandy
Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Holly Valance, 42, SPLITS from billionaire property tycoon husband Nick Candy, 52, after years of living separate lives
Holly Valance has split from billionaire property tycoon husband Nick Candy after 13 years of marriage and a long time living separate lives MailOnline can reveal. The ex Neighbours actress, 42, who has reinvented herself as a conservative firebrand, is said to have been left lonely while the Reform Party treasurer, 52, tends to his business ventures around the world. A source told MailOnline: 'They have been living separate lives for a long time, he's travelling a lot and it's been a lonely life for Holly. 'Nick has businesses in Dubai and London, The Reform Party.' The couple are parents to daughters Luka, 11, and Nova, seven, and tied the knot back in September 2012 in Beverly Hills. A spokesman for the couple said: 'This is a private matter and we will not be making any further comment.' The estranged couple were last pictured together in March, with Holly dressed in £10K of designer clothing as they enjoyed a swanky lunch together in London. They wed in 2012 a lavish £3million ceremony with guests including Elton John, Simon Cowell as well as Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. Together they have enjoyed a lavish lifestyle and previously lived in a two-storey Hyde Park penthouse worth £175million, making it Britain's most expensive flat. Nick and Holly have since downsized to a £10million countryside mansion in the Cotswolds, which they have been renovating. In 2020, Nick gifted Holly with a £26million superyacht, despite the mother-of-two famously suffering from sea sickness. The businessman who previously poured millions into Conservative coffers, became Farage's party treasurer earlier this year. Both he and his former singer and actress wife have made little secret of their support for Farage. As far ago as 2022 they joined him and then incoming US president Donald Trump for dinner at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. A source told MailOnline: 'They have been living separate lives for a long time, he's travelling a lot and it's been a lonely life for Holly' As far ago as 2022 the former couple joined Farage and then incoming US president Donald Trump for dinner at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florid Holly also hosted fundraisers for Reform and they were in the audience when Farage returned as Party leader last year. The former soap star has spent the last decade focusing on her personal life and political interests. She launched her acting career in 1999 after winning the role of Felicity Scully in Neighbours, which she played until 2002. The Melbourne-born actress later moved to America and starred in several popular US movies and TV shows, including Taken, Entourage and Prison Break. She semi-retired from the industry in 2015, although she made a brief cameo on Neighbours in 2022. She raised eyebrows last year after slamming Greta Thunberg as a 'demonic little gremlin' and claiming Australia has become 'too woke' in a TV interview. Holly criticised climate activist Thunberg to podcast host Christopher Hope. 'I don't understand why you have this, like, demonic little gremlin high priestess of climatism as the goddess in classrooms, Greta [Thunberg],' she said. 'All the kids are all coming home with depression and anxiety. She Valance also told LBC radio she had donated around £100,000 to Reform. She and Candy were both seen at the Reform conference at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre. There have previously been signs of a political split in their household, with the billionaire businessman a former Tory donor who backed Labour at the general election, before jumping ship join his wife and Reform.
7NEWS
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- 7NEWS
Neighbours star Holly Valance and UK reform billionaire Nick Candy divorce after 13 years of marriage
Australian singer and former Neighbours star Holly Valance and UK billionaire Nick Candy, a key figure in the Reform UK party, have separated after 13 years of marriage. Friends told The Sun that the couple, who married in 2012, recently split following a challenging period balancing family life, public commitments, and Nick's demanding work schedule. Despite the separation, the pair remain focused on co-parenting their two daughters. Nick Candy, 52, is a property tycoon and treasurer of Nigel Farage's Reform UK party. He met Holly, 42, in 2009 and proposed two years later. The couple tied the knot in a lavish $6.3 million ceremony in Beverly Hills, California, attended by 300 guests including Simon Cowell. Holly first rose to fame as Felicity 'Flick' Scully on Neighbours before launching a pop career with hits like the chart-topping 'Kiss Kiss.' Nick began his property business with his brother Christian in the early 1990s and now holds a vast portfolio including the luxury One Hyde Park development in London, valued at over $2 billion AUD. In March Last year, Valance made headlines with a viral interview in which she spoke candidly about her political views and high-profile connections, further cementing her role as a prominent figure in Britain's conservative circles. Loading TikTok Post Valance spoke openly about her shift to conservative politics the month earlier, saying, 'Everyone starts off as a leftie and then wakes up at some point after making money, working, trying to run a business, trying to buy a home, then realises what crap ideas they all are.' Her candid remarks about her political evolution quickly went viral. In her sit-down interview with GB News' Political Podcast hosted by Chris Hope, nothing was off the table for discussion, from controversial climate activist Greta Thurnberg to Australia's 'wokeness' and COVID hard borders to praising Donald Trump. On Greta, she said: 'I don't understand why you have this, like, demonic little gremlin high priestess of climatism as the goddess in classrooms, Greta (Thunberg). 'And the kids are all coming home with depression and anxiety. Why would you go to your music lesson or bother doing your homework or get out of bed if you think we're all going to be dead in five years anyway? I mean, 'They told me in class, Greta told me'. 'Why would you bother, it doesn't give anybody hope.' On Australia, she criticised Down Under for how 'woke' it had gone and said she had no plans to return. 'I'll get a ticket within the first two hours of arriving, doing something, parking in the wrong place, going one K over the 30 or 25 K speed limit,' she said. 'The Australia I grew up in was unreal. It was so fun, and we didn't seem to have all these problems. The woke stuff's really gone big in Australia.' She even got stuck into the Australian school curriculum. 'I don't think children and sexuality should be in the same sentence,' she said. 'You don't know about mine, I don't know about yours, why would we? 'That stuff really irks me'. Valance claimed she missed her sister's wedding because of Australia's COVID lockdown. She also revealed she was an anti-vaxxer. 'If you are fit and healthy, you should be fine, your body will know what to do,' she said. Valance was sighted alongside former president Donald Trump in 2022, describing him as 'extremely warm, extremely gentlemanly'. She argued that people needed to 'harden up', particularly in regards to his often polarising remarks about women. 'People say nasty things all day,' she said. 'I have had disgusting things said to me … Did I cry? No.' At first, the social media pile-on against Holly Valance was swift. 'The vile opinions of a washed-up soap star, one-hit wonder, out-of-touch billionaire's wife,' was the kind of stuff tweeted fast and furious. But, then, it emerged she had just as many supporters. 'Holly Valance is speaking nothing but the truth,' was the kind of stuff being tweeted just as fast and just as furious. Both Holly and Nick have been influential in right-wing politics. Nick left the Conservative Party last year to join Reform UK, pledging to raise millions for the party. Holly has also become a prominent figure in conservative circles, attending high-profile events such as Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago and Boris Johnson's wedding. A family friend said: 'This has been a very difficult period for both Nick and Holly, and they are keeping things private out of respect for their family. The joint parenting of their two amazing daughters remains their top priority.'
West Australian
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Neighbours star Holly Valance and UK reform billionaire Nick Candy divorce after 13 years of marriage
Australian singer and former Neighbours star Holly Valance and UK billionaire Nick Candy, a key figure in the Reform UK party, have separated after 13 years of marriage. Friends told The Sun that the couple, who married in 2012, recently split following a challenging period balancing family life, public commitments, and Nick's demanding work schedule. Despite the separation, the pair remain focused on co-parenting their two daughters. Nick Candy, 52, is a property tycoon and treasurer of Nigel Farage's Reform UK party. He met Holly, 42, in 2009 and proposed two years later. The couple tied the knot in a lavish $6.3 million ceremony in Beverly Hills, California, attended by 300 guests including Simon Cowell. Holly first rose to fame as Felicity 'Flick' Scully on Neighbours before launching a pop career with hits like the chart-topping 'Kiss Kiss.' Nick began his property business with his brother Christian in the early 1990s and now holds a vast portfolio including the luxury One Hyde Park development in London, valued at over $2 billion AUD. In March Last year, Valance made headlines with a viral interview in which she spoke candidly about her political views and high-profile connections, further cementing her role as a prominent figure in Britain's conservative circles. Valance spoke openly about her shift to conservative politics the month earlier, saying, 'Everyone starts off as a leftie and then wakes up at some point after making money, working, trying to run a business, trying to buy a home, then realises what crap ideas they all are.' Her candid remarks about her political evolution quickly went viral. In her sit-down interview with GB News' Political Podcast hosted by Chris Hope, nothing was off the table for discussion, from controversial climate activist Greta Thurnberg to Australia's 'wokeness' and COVID hard borders to praising Donald Trump. On Greta, she said: 'I don't understand why you have this, like, demonic little gremlin high priestess of climatism as the goddess in classrooms, Greta (Thunberg). 'And the kids are all coming home with depression and anxiety. Why would you go to your music lesson or bother doing your homework or get out of bed if you think we're all going to be dead in five years anyway? I mean, 'They told me in class, Greta told me'. 'Why would you bother, it doesn't give anybody hope.' On Australia, she criticised Down Under for how 'woke' it had gone and said she had no plans to return. 'I'll get a ticket within the first two hours of arriving, doing something, parking in the wrong place, going one K over the 30 or 25 K speed limit,' she said. 'The Australia I grew up in was unreal. It was so fun, and we didn't seem to have all these problems. The woke stuff's really gone big in Australia.' She even got stuck into the Australian school curriculum. 'I don't think children and sexuality should be in the same sentence,' she said. 'You don't know about mine, I don't know about yours, why would we? 'That stuff really irks me'. Valance claimed she missed her sister's wedding because of Australia's COVID lockdown. She also revealed she was an anti-vaxxer. 'If you are fit and healthy, you should be fine, your body will know what to do,' she said. Valance was sighted alongside former president Donald Trump in 2022, describing him as 'extremely warm, extremely gentlemanly'. She argued that people needed to 'harden up', particularly in regards to his often polarising remarks about women. 'People say nasty things all day,' she said. 'I have had disgusting things said to me … Did I cry? No.' At first, the social media pile-on against Holly Valance was swift. 'The vile opinions of a washed-up soap star, one-hit wonder, out-of-touch billionaire's wife,' was the kind of stuff tweeted fast and furious. But, then, it emerged she had just as many supporters. 'Holly Valance is speaking nothing but the truth,' was the kind of stuff being tweeted just as fast and just as furious. Both Holly and Nick have been influential in right-wing politics. Nick left the Conservative Party last year to join Reform UK, pledging to raise millions for the party. Holly has also become a prominent figure in conservative circles, attending high-profile events such as Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago and Boris Johnson's wedding. A family friend said: 'This has been a very difficult period for both Nick and Holly, and they are keeping things private out of respect for their family. The joint parenting of their two amazing daughters remains their top priority.' A spokesperson for the couple declined to comment further, stating: 'This is a private matter and we will not be making any further comment.'
The Sun
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Holly Valance SPLITS from £1billion property tycoon Nick Candy after 13 years in ‘very difficult period'
EX-NEIGHBOURS star Holly Valance and Reform UK billionaire Nick Candy are divorcing after 13 years of marriage. Friends told The Sun that the Australian actress and singer had split from her property tycoon husband in recent weeks. 12 12 Right-wing glamour couple Holly, 42, and Nick, 52 — both key figures in the rise of Reform — were last photographed together in March, heading out for lunch in London. A family friend said: 'This has been a very difficult period for both Nick and Holly, and they are keeping things private out of respect for their family. 'The joint parenting of their two amazing daughters remains their top priority. They've had to juggle a demanding lifestyle. Between family, public life, and Nick's intense work commitments, it's been a tough balance. 'This is a family matter and they're doing their best to handle things thoughtfully. Privacy is obviously very important to them both, so they can focus on what's best for the family.' Nick, who is the treasurer of Nigel Farage's Reform, met Holly in 2009 and proposed two years later. They married in 2012 in a £3million California ceremony in front of 300 guests, including Simon Cowell. Holly found fame on Neighbours as Felicity 'Flick' Scully before launching a career as a pop star. Her 2002 debut album Footprints spawned three hits, including Kiss Kiss, which went to No 1. Nick started his property business with brother Christian in the early 1990s while working in advertising. The pair now have a vast portfolio, including One Hyde Park — made up of 86 luxury apartments in central London — worth just over £1billion. Last year, Nick announced he had shunned his Conservative Party membership in favour of Reform. Music video for former Neighbours star Holly Valance's debut single Kiss Kiss He was appointed as the party's treasurer in December and pledged to raise tens of millions for Mr Farage, including giving a seven-figure sum himself. Holly has become a high-profile figure in right-wing politics. She visited US President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago home in 2022 with her husband and Mr Farage. She also attended former Tory PM Boris Johnson's wedding in 2021. 12 12 And she is credited with encouraging Mr Farage to run for Parliament. On her political views, she said last year: 'Everyone starts off as a leftie and then wakes up at some point after making money, working, trying to run a business, trying to buy a home, then realises what crap ideas they all are.' A spokesman for the couple said: 'This is a private matter and we will not be making any further comment.' 12 12 12
The Independent
06-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
There's much more to Zia Yusuf's dramatic resignation from Reform than a row over the burqa
Zia Yusuf 's departure had more to do with his failure to persuade donors to part with cash than a row over Reform's attitude to the burqa, insiders have told The Independent. But more than that, it was the now- former chairman 's inability to work with people and get on with them that was at the heart of his sudden announcement on Thursday, it has been claimed. It came after he described Reform's new MP Sarah Pochin as 'dumb' after she asked a question about banning the burqa during Prime Minister's Questions. But in reality, there were many more problems building. The Independent has contacted Mr Yusuf for his version of events and has not received a response. But his critics have not waited long to get their joy over his departure out and give their account of why he was ousted. 'The trouble is that while Zia was a very hard worker, he was a bit of a kn**,' said one associate of Nigel Farage. 'He just could not get on with people or work with people. But the much bigger problem was that donors did not want to hand over their money to the party after they spoke to him.' Mr Yusuf had, along with former Tory donor Nick Candy, been responsible for pitching to wealthy potential backers to fund Reform's push for power. 'There's a lot of money there to be released, but Zia wasn't getting it.' Even with the party's charge in the polls and a growing lead over Labour, with the Tories collapsing for various reasons, many donors were still sitting on their hands and not won over by the Yusuf/Candy charm offensive. Although in Mr Yusuf's case it was 'more of a lack of charm and pretty offensive', an insider claimed. For Mr Farage to fulfil his dream of getting to 10 Downing Street by 2029, reform needs cash to fund its push for power. But even the Tories - in complete crisis under Kemi Badenoch's leadership and with dwindling support - have been beating Reform with donations. But it was not just the failure to win the hearts and minds of millionaires and billionaires that was troubling senior figures in Reform. Several party figures have claimed that the 'writing was on the wall for Zia since March' when the fallout with Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe almost derailed their local election campaign. Mr Lowe blames Farage equally for what happened and has confirmed that he will not be seeking to rejoin Reform, after he was ousted over claims he harassed two women and Mr Yusuf reported him to the police for allegedly threatening him with violence. Police later dropped the case, and no charges were brought against Mr Lowe. This had already been a problem with him previously throwing members out en masse in various new branches for minor infractions of party (or his) rules or not taking instructions from the centre. Supporters of Mr Yusuf, who included Nigel Farage until this week, at least publicly, pointed out he was there to professionalise the party and to ensure that the problem of rogue candidates with appalling views that had dogged Ukip and the Brexit Party did not continue to be a problem for Reform. It is also true that he had been subject to an incredible amount of abuse from former and current supporters of Reform, much of it Islamophobic. The final meltdown over Ms Pochin's question to Sir Keir Starmer on banning the burqa is thought to have been the last straw for Mr Yusuf, dealing with what is increasingly becoming an anti-Muslim party in its membership, if not leadership. Mr Lowe was not the only previously loyal foot soldier ousted. Some, such as ex-deputy leader Ben Habib and former London mayoral candidate Howard Cox, are highly unlikely to come back. Others. including former director of communications, Gawain Towler, will be welcomed back. Mr Towler, an effective communicator and long-term part of the Farage cause, was sacked by Mr Yusuf when the Reform leader was out of the country. He was also banned from Reform HQ despite being a loyal party member. Apparently, that ban has now been lifted and Mr Towler is expected to return, possibly on the board representing members. Perhaps the biggest issue for those now feeling they can vent their anger about him was Mr Yusuf's inability to build loyalty with party staff and volunteers. One insider noted: 'Perhaps now we can have a culture where we can learn from our mistakes.' Another joked: 'Champagne corks were popping in misery at the announcement.' Mr Yusuf had some powerful opponents within the party lined up against him as well, even with Farage's continued public support. This included Raheem Kassam, a former Farage aide now a key figure in the MAGA movement in the US, who is very close to the Donald Trump camp. Mr Kassam told The Independent back in March that Mr Yusuf would be forced out. Yesterday, he said: 'I said months ago something like this would happen because in such a new party with many competing personalities and priorities, being chairman or even leader is an almost thankless and gargantuan task. Pressure getting the better of Zia Yusuf should make people even more appreciative of Nigel Farage's personal indefatigability.' Another long-term ally and fellow 'Brexit bad boy', the businessman Arron Banks, was not a fan either. Mr Banks, who came to prominence as founder of the pro-Brexit site was already moving in on the Reform DOGE project which Mr Yusuf had wanted for himself and is now one of the frontrunners to be the next chairman. He posted on X/ Twitter: 'Astonishing that everyone thinks they are responsible for the meteoric Reform rise, as the old saying goes, success has many fathers and failure an orphan. Zia worked very hard but struggled with relationships and people. The corks will be popping in party HQ this evening. Reform will power on.' The issue now is who should replace Mr Yusuf. One Farage ally said: 'It needs to be a diplomat, not somebody like Zia who wanted to be front and centre all the time. It needs to be someone who can talk to the members, persuade people to give money to the cause and work behind the scenes. You need a backroom man and you can't have two Caesars.' The feeling, though, is that it also needs to be someone with their own funds and good business connections. Another supporter said: 'Nigel needs someone who can give money but also raise money. That's going to be the most important job going forward if Reform is to succeed.'
