The script for Holly Valance’s life has always read like a high-stakes drama, but the latest chapter has taken a turn that even soap opera writers might find poetic. Just nine months after her high-profile split from billionaire property tycoon
Nick Candy, the former Neighbours icon and “Kiss Kiss” singer has been pictured in the arms of a new flame—a man who once stood watch over the very family home she shared with her ex-husband.
On a quiet afternoon in a West London park this week, Valance, 42, was spotted looking relaxed and genuinely smitten with
Grant Gale, 34. The pair shared coffee, laughter, and a series of passionate public kisses, signaling a definitive new beginning for the Australian-born star.
The Bodyguard Who Became a Beau
The revelation that Grant Gale is Valance’s new partner has set tongues wagging in Chelsea and beyond.
Gale, a former soldier originally from Newport, South Wales, is no stranger to the inner sanctum of the Valance-Candy household.
He previously served as a member of the elite security team at Providence House, the staggering £270 million family estate in Chelsea.
Gale, described by acquaintances as a “Welsh Rambo” due to his military background and enthusiasm for combat sports, was tasked with protecting Valance, Candy, and their two young daughters. Online imagery of
Gale often shows a stark contrast to the gentle, affectionate partner seen in the park; he has previously posed with tactical rifles like the AK-47 in military settings abroad.
However, in the leafy surroundings of London, he appeared as the ultimate gentleman, offering Valance his black denim jacket to ward off the spring chill before they wandered off hand-in-hand.
A Record-Breaking Split
The blossoming romance comes in the wake of one of the most expensive and discussed marital breakdowns in British history.
In June 2025, Holly Valance and Nick Candy announced their separation after 13 years of marriage.
While the initial announcement cited the difficulty of balancing demanding public lives and Candy’s intense work schedule—which includes his role as treasurer for the Reform UK party—reports soon surfaced that the split was “not on Holly’s terms.”
The financial fallout of the divorce is as monumental as their lifestyle once was. Just days before Valance was pictured with
Gale, news broke that their former marital home, Providence House, had been sold for roughly £270 million.
The buyer was revealed as Suneil Setiya, the billionaire co-founder of Quadrature Capital and a major Labour Party donor.
The sale represents the most expensive residential transaction in UK history, highlighting the astronomical stakes of the Candy-Valance world.
Valance’s journey since the split has been anything but quiet. Known for her outspoken conservative political views and her transition from pop star to a prominent figure in right-wing circles, she has remained a lightning rod for media attention.
Last year, rumors swirled regarding a potential relationship with political activist Tommy Robinson after they were seen together on a private trip. Those close to Valance, however, were quick to dismiss those reports as unfounded.
With Grant Gale, the dynamic appears significantly different. Friends say the connection is “genuine and grounded.” While Valance once lived a life of $50 million superyachts and £10,000 designer outfits, her recent outing with
Gale—dressed in casual black leggings and £300 Nike trainers—suggests a desire for a more low-key, perhaps authentic, chapter of life.
For those who remember Holly Valance as the fresh-faced Felicity “Flick” Scully on Neighbours back in 1999, her current status as a power player in London’s elite social and political circles is a testament to her reinvention.
After leaving the soap in 2002, she conquered the UK charts with her debut single “Kiss Kiss,” which reached number one and remains a staple of early-2000s pop culture.
Following her marriage to Nick Candy in a lavish $6.3 million Beverly Hills ceremony in 2012, Valance largely stepped back from the entertainment industry to focus on her family and her husband’s philanthropic and business ventures. However, as the 2020s progressed, she found a new voice in politics, frequently appearing alongside figures like Nigel Farage and Donald Trump.
As the divorce proceedings continue to navigate the complexities of a pre-nuptial agreement and the division of a global property portfolio, Valance seems focused on co-parenting her two daughters and nurturing her new relationship. Whether this romance with
Gale marks a permanent shift toward a more private life or simply a reprieve from the spotlight remains to be seen.
One thing is certain: Holly Valance has always been a master of the “big reveal.” By stepping out publicly with
Gale, she has sent a clear message that she is no longer looking back at the billionaire lifestyle of the past, but rather looking forward to a future on her own terms.
Why have Holly and Nick split?
Holly Valance and Nick Candy have reportedly split after 13 years of marriage. Sources suggest the pair struggled to balance their high-profile public lives and family commitments with Nick’s demanding schedule as a billionaire property tycoon.