Exclusive
CASH CRISIS
Coronation Street’s Simon Gregson facing official investigation over company collapse and £165k tax bill
A report on the soap star's conduct has been sent to the Government
Coronation Street star Simon Gregson is being investigated over the collapse of his production firm, which sees him owing £165,000 to the tax office and a bank.
Liquidators called in to break up Simon Gregson Productions Ltd have filed a report on the soap star's conduct to the Government.
4
4
They have demanded repayment of £252,000 taken from the firm's coffers and paid into a separate account controlled by the actor.
Number crunchers working on the liquidation have concluded in official papers there is no further avenues to go down to reclaim the actor's debt.
The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has now also been sent a report looking at Simon as a director of the company.
The liquidators state: "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).
READ MORE ON SIMON GREGSON
"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 Sun has contacted Simon's rep for comment.
The news of the liquidators' conduct report comes after Simon was forced to deny he had split from his wife Emma.
Most read in Soaps
The couple were hit with speculation they had broken up after Emma was listed as his ‘estranged’ wife in correspondence regarding his finances.
Emma was also spotted without her wedding ring on her finger last week.
Skint Coronation Street star Simon Gregson selling off old furniture in bid to pay off £100k tax bill-
But A source said: “Simon and Emma have not split and are still very much together.
“Simon has no idea why Emma is listed as his ‘estranged wife’ in financial paperwork.”
Simon and Emma married in 2010 after five years together and they have three sons.
The couple met after being introduced by one of Simon's Coronation Street co-stars and he has often praised his wife, who runs a tea rooms in Cheshire, for her support of his TV career.
Money woes
But in recent years, the couple have been fighting cashflow issues.
Despite Simon’s money spinning I’m A Celebrity appearance and £250k fee in 2021, and a reported £150k a year Corrie salary, the ITV star has been struggling with debt from his media company.
Simon Gregson Productions Ltd fell on hard times during the pandemic and Simon was forced to sign up to I’m A Celeb to clear the debt.
He later told Good Morning Britain that he did it because "the money is good" and it was "enough to get him out of trouble” comparing the fee to a "solid gold diamond goblet".
But the company went into liquidation on November 9 2023, owing £125,002 to HMRC, £35,000 to Coutts Bank for a Covid loan, and £5,002 trade and expense creditors, totalling £165,004.
Bounce back loans were handed out by the government to help struggling companies make up the shortfall for any dip in revenue because of coronavirus.
In January 2024, Simon offered to sell old furniture from his office to clear part of the debt.
Simon has been asked to pay back £1,500 a month to creditors, according to the liquidator's report.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
He has been advised that if the bill hasn't been settled within 36 months, the balance must be paid from the sale of his house.
Documents said that to date £9,000 had been repaid.
4
4