The UK billionaire hoping to buy Chelsea is a Tory donor who broke lockdown rules at a "raucous" Christmas party thrown by aides during Covid restrictions in December 2020.
Nick Candy, 49, is reportedly planning on submitting a £2.5billion offer to buy the reigning European champions from departing owner Roman Abramovich.
As exclusively revealed by The Mirror, Candy attended a Tory Christmas party on December 14, 2020 - when social mixing between households indoors was banned.
The controversial gathering was held in a medium-sized room at the party's Westminster HQ, with top Tory Shaun Bailey also in attendance.
"Nick Candy attended the office of the Shaun Bailey campaign for an end of year review on 14 December 2020," said a spokesperson for Candy in December 2021.
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"He gave a short thank you speech to the team and spent some time with Shaun Bailey to discuss campaign matters before leaving shortly afterwards."
Candy is a luxury property developer and a Chelsea supporter. According to Celebrity Net Worth, he is worth $1.1bn - around £840million.
He is married to Australian actress and singer Holly Valance, who famously starred in Neighbours and released the No.1 hit single "Kiss Kiss" 20 years ago.
As reported by Open Democracy in June 2020, property developers including Candy donated a combined total of more than £11m to the Tories during the proceeding year.
"Nick Candy is actively exploring a number of options for a potential bid for Chelsea Football Club," a spokesperson for Candy told the Daily Mail.
"Any bid would be made in conjunction with another party (or consortium) and we have serious interest from several international partners."
Abramovich is selling Chelsea amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, triggering the start of a disastrous war in eastern Europe.
There is no evidence to suggest the Russian oligarch is linked to president Vladimir Putin.
Abramovich has pledged to donate the proceeds of the sale to a charitable foundation, set up to help the victims of the devastating conflict.
It's unclear how much money will actually be donated to the charity.
It's believed Abramovich will listen to offers in excess of £3bn and has already rejected a bid of £2.5bn from an unknown source.
At least 10 serious buyers are thought to have emerged during the last week, including Crystal Palace shareholder and US billionaire Josh Harris.
An American-Swiss consortium led by billionaires Todd Boehly and Hansjorg Wyss has reportedly made the first bid to buy Chelsea, which is being considered.
"Like all other oligarchs, he is also in a panic," said Wyss last week. "Abramovich is trying to sell all his villas in England. He also wants to get rid of Chelsea quickly.
"I and three other people received an offer on Tuesday to buy Chelsea from Abramovich. I have to wait four to five days now. Abramovich is currently asking far too much.
"As of today, we don't know the exact selling price. I can well imagine starting at Chelsea with partners. But I have to examine the general conditions first.
"But what I can already say: I'm definitely not doing something like this alone. If I buy Chelsea, then with a consortium consisting of six to seven investors."
