£20m for Norwich

The Norfolk-born 57-year-old executive chairman of the award-winning Towergate Partnership, ranked in the top 40 of Britain's rich list, admitted he made an informal offer in October last year when City were five points adrift at the foot of the Championship.

Despite talks breaking down, Cullum has stressed the bid still stands and wants to keep joint majority shareholder Delia Smith on board as the "figurehead and icon".

"The £20million is an investment that is very unlikely to yield a good return other than emotional and it's something I've always wanted to do," he told the Eastern Daily Press.

"I don't want to be the front person for the football club - that's Delia. I don't want fame and publicity. If there is to be some sort of deal I would like it to be on friendly terms."