Coronation Street star Bill Roache is facing is facing bankruptcy for a second time after HMRC filed a petition against him, according to reports.
Roache, 91, has played the character Ken Barlow on the ITV soap since 1960 for £70 a week and is now believed to be the highest paid member of the cast, earning around £250,000 a year.
HMRC said it does "not comment on individual cases", but a spokesperson told The Mirror: "We take a supportive approach to dealing with customers who have tax debts, and do everything we can to help those who engage with us to get out of debt, such as offering instalment plans.
"We only petition for bankruptcy as a last resort."
A spokesperson for Coronation Street told the publication: "We're really sorry to hear of Bill's financial situation. Bill has an ongoing contract with Coronation Street and remains a much-loved member of the cast."
Papers were lodged against the Nottingham-born personality at London's High Court on Tuesday, and details of the cause of the tax debt remained confidential.
In the 90s, Roache found himself bankrupt following a libel battle with The Sun for calling him "boring".
He won the case but was judged to have wasted court time with the lawsuit and was awarded only £50,000, the amount the paper had offered him to settle out of court.
He was left with huge legal bills which he compounded with the decision to sue his lawyers over the case, landing him in up to £600,000 of debt.
Last December it was reported that Roache has signed on to star in Corrie for another 12 months, marking his 63rd year on the soap.
He has previously stated his desire to continue on in the role until he is 100.
In 2022, the father-of-five, who lives in Wilmslow, Cheshire, received an OBE from King Charles in recognition of his services to drama and charity.
