FROM STARDOM TO SURVIVAL: THE HEARTBREAKING FALL OF A SOAP LEGEND!
Coronation Street’s Simon Gregson flogging car as he’s ordered to pay £165,000 debts
Coronation Street star Simon Gregson has revealed that he’s selling his car in order to pay a missing loan and a mammoth tax bill, as he also faces losing his home
Simon Gregson is selling his car to foot his tax bill(Image: ITV)
Coronation Street’s Simon Gregson is selling his car to foot his huge tax bill. The actor who is best known for playing Steve McDonald on the ITV soap opera is following an order to repay a loan totalling £252,000. He is also facing losing his home.
The actor, 51, could be left to sell his home following the closure of his business, Simon Gregson Productions Ltd, which owed the tax office and bank £165,000 after going into liquidation. A repayment of £252,000 had been demanded from the firm’s coffers and paid into a separate account controlled by the actor.
Those working on the liquidation have concluded there is no other option to reclaim Simon’s debts. In a report to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the liquidators gave notice of progress in the voluntary winding up of the company.
Simon Gregson is flogging his 2005 black Ford Fiesta(Image: @fat_dracula/Instagram)
The actor was hit with a huge tax bill(Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
But Simon is now selling his 2005 black Ford Fiesta via an auction to raise funds. Hamspon Auctions, who are selling the motor, took to Instagram to share the news of the entry and how people can get their hands on the vehicle.
They said: “Entries are coming in thick and fast for our March Auction at Bolseworth. The catalogue goes live next week with early entries including supercars, classic and performance vehicles. This morning, none other than Simon Gregson dropped off a car ready to be consigned to the sale.”
Following the transfer of £252,000 from Simon’s firm to a private account, liquidators said he had been informed to pay the huge amount by £1,500 per month. At the time, he was advised that after 36 months, the balance needed to be paid from the sale of his home.
However, a report for the business filed this week revealed that he had repaid £18,000 over the course of the past 12 months. Begbies Taynor, the liquidators, wrote: “We have received £18,000 during the year under review in respect of the overdrawn Directors’ loan account, which is in line with the terms of the settlement agreement.
“We have been unable to conclude our duties during this period, in view of the balance outstanding on the Director’s loan account. Consequently, the administration of the case will continue into the next period.” They went on to state that the costs of breaking up the business came to around £51,000, but a £44,000 cap on its expenses had been in place.
Simon is currently making extra cash, showing Corrie fans around the set of the programme based at Media City in Salford. The cast members who take part in the tours earn around £500 each time they participate.
Last year, the Mirror obtained a copy of the report, which stated: “In accordance with the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 we have submitted a report on the conduct of the Directors of the Company for the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
“As this is a confidential report, we are not able to disclose the contents. Shortly after our appointment, we made an initial assessment of whether there could be any matters that might lead to recoveries for the estate and what further investigations may be appropriate.
“This assessment look into account information provided by creditors either at the initial meeting or as a response to our request to complete an investigation questionnaire. Our examinations have not revealed any issues requiring further investigation.”
The report added: “The Director had an overdrawn loan account of £252,824. The analysis also revealed that this money was removed from the Company’s bank account and paid into Mr Gregory’s joint bank account with his estranged wife. Therefore, any claim would be addressed to both individuals.” Simon liquidated the firm in 2023, owing £165,000 to HMRC and Coutts bank for a Covid bounce-back loan.
The Mirror has approached his agent for comment.