Coronation Street legend under investigation after ‘failing to pay six-figure tax bill’
A CORONATION Street legend is under investigation after allegedly failing to pay a six-figure tax bill.
Beverley Callard, who plays Liz McDonald in the hit ITV soap, is facing a financial probe after allegedly failing to pay £215,000 debts including a £100,000 tax bill.
The actress has reportedly failed to repay any of the huge debt since receiving a massive bill when her acting firm JMBJ Limited went into liquidation last year.
Callard and husband Jon McEwan set up the firm in 2020 – the same year she left Corrie – to handle her pay after leaving the ITV soap.
Despite earning millions playing Liz McDonald for over 30 years, her company owes HMRC £98,769.
It owes £51,450 in outstanding VAT and £47,319 in corporation tax.
It also owes £2,784 to trade creditors.
Liquidators have started a probe into Callard, 67, and husband Jon McEwan over their failure to settle the tax bills.
The couple are also under investigation after failing to repay £114,000 director’s loans taken out of the firm.
According to paperwork filed with Companies House, liquidators said: “We carried out an initial review of the company’s affairs, including seeking information and explanations from the directors by means of questionnaires, making enquiries of the company’s accountants, examining company bank statements and other records.
“This initial assessment revealed matters that the liquidators considered merited further investigation in relation to the director’s loans.
“As a result, the liquidators have undertaken further reviews. They are making enquiries with the directors in relation to the outstanding balance owed.
“Insufficient funds have been realised to allow a distribution to creditors at this stage. Due to the ongoing investigations, it is currently uncertain whether there will be sufficient funds for a distribution to creditors.”
If the director’s loans are not paid back soon, Bev and Jon, who married in 2010, could be made bankrupt.
Bev was previously declared bankrupt in 2012.
The soap star revealed at the time she had suffered a mental health breakdown, was caring for her mother who had Alzheimer’s and her pub business went under.
At her lowest point, her bank cards were declined in shops and she had to borrow cash from friends just to buy food.
At one point she and Jon survived on just one meal a day.
But she received a cash injection in 2020 when she appeared on I’m A Celeb.
The couple are currently renovating a canal boat they bought in lockdown.
In a statement issued by her spokeswoman, Bev said: “Many of these details are incorrect but due to the fact that Jon and I are in a legal dispute, sadly I cannot speak about it at this time – but when it is resolved, and it will be, I will talk about it and look forward to setting the record straight.”