Curse of Coronation Street as Bill Roache swerves bankruptcy the other cobbles stars hitting the financial skids
EVERYONE’S heard of the Strictly curse but there seems to be a new curse in tellyland and it’s on Coronation Street.
The famous cobbles have entertained millions of people for more than 60 years but behind the scenes several high profile names have struggled with their finances.
Bill Roache
Corrie Ken Barlow has escaped being declared bankrupt – for the second time.
The ITV soap star, 92, who has played Ken Barlow for more than 60 years, owed more than half a million pounds to HMRC.
But this week, after he was given an extra 12 weeks to settle the matter, it was dismissed by the courts.
The £250k-a-year telly star was saved from being declared penniless for a second time following his bankruptcy in 1999.
Bev Callard
The actress played Liz McDonald for more than 30 years on the soap – but has faced financial hardships despite her high pay.
It was recently revealed she is under investigation after her acting firm failed to settle a £100,000 tax bill.
Beverley and husband Jon McEwan have also failed to repay £114,000 in director’s loans they took out from the company, called JMBJ Limited.
Liquidators have told the firm that they estimate the costs of dissolving the outfit will be £54,369 while they look into the various debts of the company.
Bev was previously declared bankrupt in 2012.
Charlie Lawson
Jim McDonald star Charlie Lawson faces being banned from running a company after his food business venture folded with debts.
Lawson, who was Jim MacDonald in the soap, has missed deadlines to repay £37,000 from the 2018 failure of his Cheshire-based deli.
But debts at Prestbury’s Farm Shop have passed £50,000 with liquidators’ fees of £14,500 included.
The 64-year-old, last seen in the soap in 2018, has been threatened with legal action.
Liquidators claim Lawson and his wife Debbie “may be unfit to be involved with managing the affairs of a company in the future”.
But they also admitted there is little likelihood of any funds being available to pay creditors.
Simon Gregson
A third member of the McDonald family, Simon Gregson has played Steve since 1989.
And just like his on-screen parents he has run into financial difficulties outside the soap.
As of January he had a £100k tax bill to pay, had called in liquidators to close down his company and also owed money to Coutts bank for a Covid bounce-back loan – bringing his total owed to £165,000.
A report by the firm brought in to wind up his company also revealed that Simon and wife Emma – both directors of the firm – borrowed £252,824 from the firm’s company account.
The number crunchers said they were “uncertain” as to whether the cash would be repaid.
Jennie McAlpine
Back in 2022 Fiz Stape actress Jennie was battling to keep her business, restaurant Annie’s, going after Covid shutdown saw takings tumble.
The company was £537,000 in debt with Jennie and husband Chris battling to keep trading.
She even signed up for I’m A Celebrity for the cash injection.
Michael Le Vell
The actor has played mechanic Kevin Webster in Coronation Street for 40 years and reportedly earns £250,000 a year for the role in the ITV soap.
But the star was declared bankrupt in 2018, reportedly after he failed to keep on top of his tax affairs – owing HMRC a six-figure sum.
The Sun previously revealed that the Corrie star had gone bust after paying out £200,000 in legal fees in a trial over child abuse claims in 2013. He was found not guilty but Ministry of Justice rules deem that those who can afford their defence are prevented from receiving tax-funded paybacks after the case.
Official records showed that the order was lifted in January 2019, meaning Michael, 58, could open a new bank account.
Ryan Thomas
Actor Ryan Thomas played Jason Grimshaw on Coronation Street for 16 years but was hit with a £40,000 tax bill he couldn’t pay in 2013 after splurging his soap salary on his extravagant lifestyle.
He has said: “I started when I was 16, it was great, I was in the spotlight and given a lot of money from a young age,” Ryan explains during his introduction to the show.
“I loved to treat my friends and didn’t really realise what the concept of money was.”
And he added: “Next thing I know, I get a letter through the post from the tax man.”
Ryan, now 39, admits he was “embarrassed” after being declared bankrupt in 2013.
He said: “Having something like bankruptcy all over the media, I found it really embarrassing because you’re in the spotlight there’s no hiding.
“Your private life doesn’t become private any more.”
Ryan, who was roped into handing out burgers for his brother Adam’s restaurant The Spinn in 2021, is now back on track with his finances.
In 2019 it was reported he was set to be a millionaire again after books filed to Companies House show his R. James Thomas Ltd firm showed he had £247,493 in cash.
Eva Pope
Actress Eva Pope rose to fame in Coronation Street in 1993 as barmaid Tanya Pooley.
But she is best known for playing longest-serving headmistress Rachel Mason in Waterloo Road.
Coronation Street's shock exits 2024
Corrie has said goodbye to several cast members this year. Let's break down who's left the famous soap:
Eliza Woodrow (Savannah Kunyo) has said farewell to Corrie to start a new life in Germany.
The youngster moved to live with her dad Dom Everett, who went back on the £10,000 bribe Eliza’s grandfather Stu had offered to keep him out of her life.
Paul Foreman will bow out of the soap this summer when he loses his fight with motor neurone disease (MND) in tragic scenes.
After being diagnosed last year, the fan favourite, portrayed by Peter Ash, was devastated to learn he only had months left to live.
Viewers know he is planning to take his own life to end his suffering.
Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby) departed the cobbles after being offered the opportunity of a lifetime to study in America.
Though she struggled to decide with her stepdad Paul’s impending death from MND, she was convinced she had to live her life to the full.
Simon Barlow (Alex Bain) has struggled with the sudden departure of his father Peter from the cobbles.
The Weatherfield legend left his family and loved ones behind on Boxing Day, 2023, when his wife Carla Connor encouraged him to travel around the world with a friend.
Simon’s been on a downward spiral ever since and his exit could end in tragedy.
Alya Nazir is set to leave the cobbles as actress Sair Khan prepares to go on maternity leave ahead of the birth of her first child.
It looks likely she’ll be heading to Dublin after securing a lucrative new job, leaving her colleague and fling Adam Barlow behind.
Show stalwart Eileen Grimshaw is taking a break to star in the Sister Act The Musical UK tour.
She’s had to leave the Street immediately after her son Jason broke his back after falling off a moped in Asia. She will be back filming in May once her dates on the tour come to an end.
Despite her string of top telly roles, she found herself declared bankrupt in 2007 following a £65,000 tax bill and £25,000 in credit card debts.
Eva, 55, appears to have moved on from her financial woes and has since had roles on Holby City, New Tricks and Silent Witness.
This year, she appeared in an episode of the ITV drama Maternal.