17 February 2024 , 23:09
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It's business as usual for Coronation Street favourite Bill Roache, according to pals at his spiritual group.
Members claim the 91-year-old actor is “doing fine” after it emerged he is at risk of a second bankruptcy. Court documents show that the star – who has played Ken Barlow in the ITV soap since 1960 – entered an agreement in 2018 to clear a £588,015.18 debt owed to the taxman.
But High Court papers claim Bill, who is on a reported £250,000 salary, has only paid back £41,666.65 so far. He is set to face a hearing next month.
At a meeting of Bill’s Stride for Truth group on Friday night, one member said they were “100% supporting” their friend, who was previously declared bankrupt in 1999. The organisation, which strives for world peace and enlightenment, meets in a room above a foot clinic in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester.
Stride for Truth’s website says it can help teach people about “living a full and happy life with less”. And on Facebook, it declares: “The ultimate vision and plan is true and everlasting world peace. A new world order shall be established and a new collective consciousness created.
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“This new order and new Earth will be love centric. Strength shall return to the human heart and no longer shall lies, deceit, greed and wickedness thrive. The truth shall set us free.”
HMRC paperwork for Bill’s case states: “The debtor is justly and truly indebted to us in the aggregate sum of £546,348.53 being the sum of £588,015.18 claimed in a statutory demand less the sum of £41,666.65 paid since the date of issue of the said demand.”
Bill is the longest-serving TV star in a continuous role. In December, he signed to stay with ITV for another year – his 64th in Weatherfield. A spokeswoman for the soap recently said the Coronation Street team was “really sorry to hear of Bill’s financial situation”.
Bill’s representatives were contacted for comment.