Bill Roache spotted with new £70k car despite Corrie star facing bankruptcy
Actor Bill Roache is driving forward with his life - after he was pictured for the first time since his bankruptcy woes in a shiny new car.
The 91-year-old soap star was seen in a brand new Audi motor, worth up to £72k, in Cheshire this week. And he also appeared to be spending more money improving his home as a soft furnishings contractors were seen turning up to his property, as well as a second van carrying planks of wood.
It very much looked like business as normal for Coronation Street star Bill, after the Mirror reported last month he is facing bankruptcy for a second time, after HMRC filed a petition against him.
Bill Roache was spotted with his new car despite facing bankruptcy (SplashNews.com)
Bill was seen having soft furnishings contractors turn up to his property (SplashNews.com)It is understood that Bill, 91, who has played Ken Barlow since 1960, earns about £250,000 a year and is the highest paid cast member. HMRC does not comment on individual cases but a spokesman said it supports those with tax debts and does all it can to help them get out of debt, such as offering instalment plans.
A Coronation Street spokesman said: "We're really sorry to hear of Bill's financial situation. He has an ongoing contract with Coronation Street and remains a much-loved member of the cast." In December it was reported that Bill Roache had penned a new one-year deal to remain on Coronation Street.
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The actor is facing bankruptcy for a second time (SplashNews.com)The actor - who has played Ken Barlow in the ITV1 soap since it was first broadcast on 9 December 1960 - is said to have signed up for a 64th year on the famous cobbles. The money from any new contract would help any potential issues he has with HMRC.
In 2018 the Mirror told how the star faced a huge bill after investing in a £500million tax avoidance scheme. It was unknown how much he had invested in Twofold First Services LLP, owned by a firm in the Cayman Islands.
A van belonging to a company who specialises in soft furnishings for your home turned up at the property (SplashNews.com)He was one of 288 investors who entered the scheme and put in, on average, £1.75million. Papers showed he joined the scheme in March 2012. A HMRC spokesman told the Mirror last month it filed for a petition for bankruptcy with the court to obtain a bankruptcy order.
He said: "We might have an outstanding tax debt, if someone refused to engage with us and pay the tax that is due, then as a last resort we will issue a bankruptcy action. That is to recover the tax they owe but, as I say, it is the sort of thing we do as a last resort."
Smartly dressed Bill, in navy coat and brown shoes, was seen admiring his car as he locked the doors before heading inside.
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