Comedian and BBC star Jason Manford has paid a seven-figure tax bill for unpaid PAYE and National Insurance, totalling £1,131,833. The 43-year-old Manchester funnyman had to shell out £1.1 million to settle the debt with HMRC.
Company in voluntary liquidation
The demand related to his holding company, Invisible Man Ltd, which was placed into voluntary liquidation in 2017. A report filed to Companies House states: "The principal activity of the company was that of a holding Company, which held a portfolio of investment properties."
The crippling bill, combined with his 2017 divorce settlement following his split from ex-wife Catherine in 2013, forced him to sell off his 10-home property empire. He raised more than £3 million from the sale, which covered the debts.
Property portfolio sold
He had purchased the properties in the Greater Manchester area to rent out after hitting the big time. Express.co.uk have contacted representatives for Jason Manford for comment.
The BBC Radio 2 presenter has acknowledged that the relationship with Catherine "disintegrated" because he didn't give her enough "care and time". He admitted their union didn't get the attention it deserved because he was too focused on work and providing for his children.
Family life and marriage
The former couple wed in October 2007 and had four children together - three daughters and a son - before they separated. He later had another daughter and son with his current wife, Lucy Dyke, a TV producer behind hit shows including Black Mirror, The Split and Ripper Street, whom he married in 2017.
Discussing the challenges and joys of a large family, Jason shared on the Table Manners podcast: "It's a lot, it has its difficult moments like any family, but at the end of the day there's more love to go around." He added: "We get by and we've got a lot of help, my parents live nearby, my ex-wife, my wife, everybody pitches in and makes sure it works and it does for the most part."
However, he has also acknowledged he has tested the boundaries in his marriage when he grew sideburns for his role in the theatre production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The comedian admitted he knew his spouse would not appreciate the eccentric hairstyle and was aware it would "annoy" her, but was willing to take the risk regardless.
