Coronation Street stalwart William Roache has been given a three month deadline to clear his huge tax debt he's racked up over the years.
Roache has starred as Ken Barlow on the ITV soap for 64 years, even banking himself a Guinness World Record for the longest serving soap actor.
It has been reported Roache earns a staggering £250,000 a year playing the ladies’ man character, but that hasn’t stopped him from stacking up half-a-million in debt to the taxman.
Back in 2018, Roache entered into an agreement to clear the £588,015.18 bill he had accrued, however reports have claimed he has only paid back £41,666.65 so far.
According to The Sun, Roache is looking to sell of some of his property to clear the debt, but a prospective buyer pulled out of the deal in February.
Due to the sale of the house, the High Court has now given him a 12-week adjournment in order to “allow the sale”.
Roache is said to earn £250,000 a year for his role in Coronation Street
ITV
Despite the dispute going on in court, Roache did not appear at the specialist hearing where lawyers from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) said the sum the actor owes has been reduced - a sum which was not disclosed.
Retired Insolvency and Companies Court judge Stephen Baister granted the adjournment and said Roache's case will return in June.
His tax battle was released just weeks after he was facing bankruptcy for the second time, with his interest payments totalling £14,699 on top of the late-payment fines of over £8,000.
A spokesperson for Coronation Street told the Mirror: “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.”
William Roache has starred in Coronation Street for 64 years
ITV
A HMRC spokesman also told the publication: “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.”
GB News has contacted ITV for a comment.
The Ken Barlow star recently spoke about not wanting to retire anytime soon, explaining his reasons why in an ITV documentary on his 90th birthday.
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William Roache owes a staggering amount of debt
GETTY
He explained: “People will say when are you retiring? Are you going to take a break? But then what happens?
“Whilst I can do it, and whilst they will have me, I have no intention of retiring. I am so fortunate to work for an organisation that is happy to have me.”