Former Coronation Street actor Philip Middlemiss – famous for playing Des Barnes in the ITV soap – has reportedly been declared bankrupt after being unable to pay taxes

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Coronation Street icon Philip Middlemiss has reportedly been declared bankrupt(Image: ITV)

Coronation Street star Philip Middlemiss has been declared bankrupt, a report has claimed. It would make the second time the 62-year-old actor has faced bankruptcy.

The TV star is best known for playing Des Barnes in ITV’s Coronation Street between 1990 and 1998 – during which time his character was married to Denise Welch’s Natalie Horrocks and heroically died after defending his step-son, Tony Horrocks, from a drugs gang.

Middlemiss has suffered financial woes since leaving Weatherfield – losing his life savings when he attempted to make a movie in the early 2010s. And now it has been reported he has gone bankrupt a second time after failing to keep up with tax payments.

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Philip’s character was married to Denise Welch’s Natalie Horrocks(Image: Granada TV)

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Philip played Des Barnes from 1990 and 1998(Image: Granada Television)

According to The Sun, the star was taken to court by HMRC and declared bankrupt after being found to owe “a hefty five figure sum” in unpaid tax bills. The Mirror has contacted a representative of Middlemiss for comment.

His bad luck comes 13 years after he declared himself bankrupt in 2012 after plans to make a movie ended in disaster. He had been self-financing the project, but his funds ran dry before rolling was completed.

He told the Manchester Evening News previously: “It was partly-funded by myself but I didn’t have the money to fund the rest of the film.

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Denise and Phil were reunited on Loose Women in 2024(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

“Filming came to a grinding halt. It was nearly three-quarters of the way along the line. It has been a difficult time. Three-and-a-half years is a long time to fund myself without any income. I have had to get money from family and friends.”

Away from Corrie, Middlemiss’s TV roles have included playing David Buckley in the ITV drama Where the Heart Is, from 2000 to 2006. He had a 10 year hiatus from on-screen acting which was broken last year when he played DI Travis Lennox on Doctors.

He is the proud father of two sons – including actor and boxer Alfie. The 22-year-old has been competing in matches in the UK – with his proud dad at the ringside cheering him on.

After watching his son win a match in December last year, the soap star wrote in an Instagram post: “So so proud, great team and phenomenal support! The journey begins.”

Earlier this year, the actor’s 48-year-old wife Leanne Davis shared a glowing birthday wish to the TV star. Sharing a string of loved up snaps of them together on Instagram – including one where Middlemiss was dressed in drag – she posted a gushing tribute.

Leanne wrote: “Happy birthday to my favourite person on the whole planet Have the best day darling. Thank you for making this journey of life so much fun – a little nerve wracking at times but always a laugh to be had and no one else I would rather do it all with.”

The life coach added: “Wishing you the best year of your life ahead. Love you beyond words can say.”