'Coronation Street' legend Bill Roache owes more than £546,000 in tax, according to new documents.

Coronation Street legend Bill Roache owes more than 546k in tax, according to new documents

Coronation Street legend Bill Roache owes more than 546k in tax, according to new documents

The 91-year-old actor - who has played Ken Barlow on the ITV soap since the first episode in 1960 - agreed in 2018 to clear his £588,015.18 HMRC bill, but latest documents reveal he still owes £546,348.53, after paying off £41,666.65.

According to High Court papers obtained by The Sun newspaper, HMRC said: "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 - who is said to earn around £250,000 a year for playing Ken - was declared bankrupt in 1999.

He is now facing bankruptcy for a second time, but is set to fight the case in the High Court next month.

A 'Coronation Street' spokeswoman previously said bosses were "really sorry to hear of Bill’s financial situation and he remains a much-loved member of the cast".

HMRC previously said: "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.

"We only petition for bankruptcy as a last resort."

In December, Bill penned a new deal to remain on 'Corrie', signing up for a 64th year on the cobbles.

An insider told The Sun newspaper at the time: "There are big plans for the Barlows over the next 12 months."

In 2022, Bill admitted he wants to still be working in Weatherfield when he is 100 years old.

He told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Someone said to me, ‘Look, Bill, you’re in the Guinness Book of Records, you’ve got the MBE, you’ve been in ­ Coronation Street for over 60 years, what else is there?

"I said to him, ‘I would like to be the first centenarian who is still cast in an ongoing drama’.

"That’s my aim, to be 100 and still working on ­Coronation Street.

"While they want me and while I can do it I’ll continue to do it."

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