Coronation Street legend William Roache has settled his tax bill with HMRC in a court hearing that lasted less than a minute. The 92-year-old actor, who has played Ken Barlow on the popular soap for over 60 years, was given 12 weeks to resolve the dispute. Roache was not present at the hearing, which took place at the specialist Insolvency and Companies Court in London. Earlier this year, it was reported that Roache was facing bankruptcy as he owed the taxman nearly £550,000. However, the case was dismissed after a request from HMRC.
Roache had initially owed £588,015.18, but had only paid £41,666.65 towards the bill. In an attempt to clear the remaining debt, he had planned to sell his house. The actor had faced a substantial tax bill after allegedly investing in a £500 million tax avoidance scheme. It was revealed that Roache, along with 288 other investors, had joined the scheme, each contributing an average of £1.75 million. The scheme, known as Twofold, aimed to reduce income tax through a business that supposedly incurred significant losses. However, the court ruled in favor of HMRC, deeming the scheme to be a tax evasion tactic.
Roache holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-serving TV soap star for his portrayal of Ken Barlow on Coronation Street since its first episode in 1960. He surpassed the previous record set by Don Hastings from the American soap opera As the World Turns. In 2010, Roache declared his intention to stay on the show as long as the producers wanted him. In recognition of his contributions to drama and charity, he was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours list in December 2021.
In upcoming episodes, Roache’s character Ken Barlow will face a major health scare after collapsing at the bottom of the stairs. His family rushes to his side in the hospital, where they are informed that he will require constant care during his recovery. Despite their reassurances, Ken responds with a forced smile. Stay tuned for more updates on this gripping storyline.
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