Holly Valance has experienced a remarkable metamorphosis since achieving fame as Felicity 'Flick' Scully on the Australian soap opera Neighbours. In the late 1990s, Flick was portrayed as a progressive schoolgirl with feminist inclinations, and Valance once told BBC Newsround that she shared the character's "stubbornness and feistiness." Today, that trait appears to be the sole commonality between them, as the 42-year-old has evolved from actress to pop star, then to the wife of billionaire property tycoon Nick Candy, and now into a prominent voice for the far-right movement.
A New Political Circle Emerges
Following her separation from Candy in June 2023 after thirteen years of marriage, Valance has grown increasingly close to Tommy Robinson, the founder of the English Defence League and a convicted criminal. Late last year, she was photographed with Robinson on a luxury steam train journey alongside former actor Laurence Fox and his wife Elizabeth. The train, named The Chairman's Set, is owned by City financier and major Reclaim Party donor Jeremy Hosking.
Social media footage from the trip showed the group enjoying breakfast as the train departed London, with Robinson cheerfully greeting everyone. Valance has publicly described Robinson as "a great guy" and expressed "a lot of respect" for him, despite his criminal record including assault, stalking, and mortgage fraud. However, she insists they are not romantically involved.
Influencing Political Decisions
Valance's political connections extend to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, whom she credits with convincing to stand as MP for Clacton. She revealed she had been "whispering in his ear for a long time," and her children affectionately refer to him as "Uncle Nigel." Farage has reciprocated this warmth, stating, "I love Holly." Her influence within right-wing circles became more apparent in 2024 when she attended the launch of Liz Truss's Popular Conservatism group and hosted a Trump election fundraiser in West London.
Controversial Comments and Backlash
Valance recently faced significant backlash during a GB News interview intended to promote her musical comeback. While discussing Australia's COVID-19 response, she used a derogatory slur for disabled people, referring to "the r****d meter" and remarking that "Australia was quite high on that." Host Josh Howie immediately interrupted the broadcast to apologize to viewers, prompting Valance to retort, "Hey, are we not a 'free speech nation' over here?"
This incident surprised many, given Valance's previous role as an ambassador for Disability Rights International and her younger sister's disabilities. Tommy Robinson praised her on social media, writing, "She's smashing it," while friends expressed dismay at her "repugnant" language. One acquaintance noted her working-class background and limited formal education, suggesting that her political outspokenness has alienated half her fanbase.
Musical Ventures and Censorship
Valance was on GB News to discuss her reworked 2002 chart-topper, now titled "Kiss Kiss (XX) My A**e." The song serves as the soundtrack for A Super Progressive Movie, a film by controversial Australian politician Pauline Hanson, and includes lyrics targeting trans issues and "snowflakes." After reaching number one on the iTunes chart, Apple briefly banned the track, a decision later reversed. Valance defended the song during her interview, further cementing her controversial public persona.
Early Life and Career Trajectory
Born to a Serbian father and British-Australian mother, Valance grew up in Melbourne with her younger sister Coco, who has acute juvenile arthritis. Her parents divorced early, and financial constraints led her to begin modeling at age eleven to help support her family. By sixteen, she landed her breakthrough role on Neighbours, which she left in 2002 to pursue music.
Her debut single "Kiss Kiss" became a major hit, and she transitioned seamlessly into pop stardom before facing legal issues with a former manager that cost her £150,000. She returned to acting, with notable roles in Prison Break and Taken, and moved to the UK in 2009. After reaching the Strictly Come Dancing semi-finals in 2011, she met Nick Candy at a dinner party, leading to a lavish wedding in 2012 and the birth of their two daughters.
Political Awakening and Recent Activities
Valance's political shift became evident in 2022 when she appeared in a photo with Nigel Farage, Donald Trump, and her then-husband at Mar-a-Lago. She later declared, "Everyone starts off as a Leftie and then wakes up at some point," criticizing left-wing policies. In September 2024, she attended Tommy Robinson's "Unite the Kingdom" rally in London, wearing a "MEGA" (Make England Great Again) cap and praising Robinson's "redemption."
Recently, she appeared on Dan Wootton's YouTube channel, dismissing dating rumors with Robinson as "silly" while reiterating her admiration for him. Her social media profile picture features her holding a gun and wearing a "Thug life" hoodie, reflecting her embrace of a provocative image. On Sky News Outsiders, she laughed off being "cancelled," calling it "quite fun." This stands in stark contrast to her 2010 remark that she wished she had "kept my mouth shut more often," highlighting the profound transformation in her public persona and political alignment.
