Bill Roache spotted with new £70k car despite Corrie star facing bankruptcy
![Bill Roache spotted with new £70k car despite Corrie star facing bankruptcy](/upload/news/2024/02/06/157935.jpg)
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 spotted with new £70k car despite Corrie star facing bankruptcy qhidqkiddhiqdxinv](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article32059811.ece/ALTERNATES/n310p/0_EMB-PAY-EXCLUSIVE-HOLD-UK-91-Year-old-Bill-Roache-Steps-Out-In-Cheshire-Today-With-A-New-Car-Despite-It-B.jpg)
![Bill Roache spotted with new £70k car despite Corrie star facing bankruptcy](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article32059810.ece/ALTERNATES/n310p/0_EMB-PAY-EXCLUSIVE-HOLD-UK-91-Year-old-Bill-Roache-Steps-Out-In-Cheshire-Today-With-A-New-Car-Despite-It-B.jpg)
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.
![Corrie's Sue Cleaver says I'm A Celebrity stint helped her to push boundaries](/upload/news/2023/02/01/6_m.jpg)
![Bill Roache spotted with new £70k car despite Corrie star facing bankruptcy](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article32059809.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_EMB-PAY-EXCLUSIVE-HOLD-UK-91-Year-old-Bill-Roache-Steps-Out-In-Cheshire-Today-With-A-New-Car-Despite-It-B.jpg)
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.
![Bill Roache spotted with new £70k car despite Corrie star facing bankruptcy](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article32059812.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_PAY-EXCLUSIVE-HOLD-UK-91-Year-old-Bill-Roache-Steps-Out-In-Cheshire-Today-With-A-New-Car-Despite-It-B.jpg)
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.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus![](/upload/news/2024/07/05/176268_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/05/176264_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/02/176213_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/06/27/176126_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/06/176297_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/06/176296_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/06/176295_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/06/176294_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/06/176293_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/06/176290_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/06/176289_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/06/176288_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/06/176287_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/06/176286_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/06/176285_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/05/176284_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/05/176281_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/05/176279_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/05/176275_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/05/176274_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/05/176273_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/05/176271_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/05/176269_m.jpg)