Bankrupt Coronation Street star Michael Le Vell in bid to join I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here 2018
CORONATION Street star Michael Le Vell is being lined up for I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here line up after being declared bankrupt.
The actor, 53, has been left struggling financially after racking up legal costs of £200,000 as he fought off sex abuse allegations in 2013.
Now the Sun’s Bizarre column can reveal Michael, 53, is in line for the popular show, hosted by Ant and Dec.
A TV source said: “It’s still early days for producers on I’m A Celeb, but Michael is a name they're looking at.
“He’s obviously desperate for the cash, but like Amir Khan this year, he’ll have a cracking back story.
“And they’ll pay big bucks for a proper Corrie legend who will no doubt reveal all about his woes on the show.
"He's been asked before but circumstances never made sense to do it. Now that could be different."
The actor, who plays Kevin Webster, failed to keep on top of his tax affairs despite earning £250,000 on the soap.
HMRC were named as the petitioner in the High Court and sources have revealed the actor’s outstanding bill was “a six-figure sum”.
He was found not guilty but Ministry of Justice rules prevent people who can afford their defence from receiving tax-funded paybacks after the case.
This means he had to pay the full amount out of his own pocket.
He was reportedly offered a £250,000-a-year contract last year to continue playing the role of Kevin the mechanic which he has held since 1983.
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Dad-of-two Michael sold his £750,000 Cheshire home after his marriage to actress Janette Beverley collapsed following his trial over child sex allegations.
His push to go on I’m A Celeb comes after his co-star Jennie McAlpine’s stint Down Under last year.
The actress, 33, aka Fiz Brown, too was thought to have signed up to pay off debts and was given a six figure sum for her stint.