- Le Vell, 52, spent £200,000 clearing his name against the allegations in 2013
- Ministry of Justice rules meant he could not reclaim the costs after acquittal
- The star has reportedly been contacted by Bankruptcy Unit of the Land Registry
Coronation Street star Michael Le Vell is reportedly facing bankruptcy proceedings after paying hefty legal fees to clear his name against child sex allegations.
The actor, 52, spent £200,000 fighting the charges before being found ‘not guilty’ of all 12 counts by a jury at Manchester Crown Court in 2013.
Ministry of Justice rules prevent people who can afford their defence from receiving tax-funded paybacks after the case, meaning all of the funding came out of the star’s own pocket.
Michael Le Vell, pictured in September, is reportedly facing bankruptcy proceedings after paying hefty legal fees to clear his name against child sex allegations in 2013
Now The Sun on Sunday has reported that Le Vell, who plays mechanic Kevin Webster in the soap, has been contacted the Bankruptcy Unit of the Land Registry about taking action.
A source told the paper: ‘He had false accusations hanging over him for years and couldn’t work.’
Le Vell’s marriage to his wife Janette broke down in the midst of the allegations and the actor, whose real name is Michael Turner, has since had to sell their £750,000 home in Cheshire.
Le Vell pictured outside Manchester Crown Court in September 2013 after being cleared of child sex offences
The letter was sent to the actor’s girlfriend’s home in Altrincham, Greater Manchester.
The news comes after it emerged earlier this year that Le Vell had been offered a new £250,000 contract from Coronation Street bosses.
When asked about bankruptcy, the star said: ‘I’ve not heard anything yet.’