Beverly Callard, one of Coronation Street’s most recognisable faces, is facing a sobering real-life storyline far removed from the drama of Weatherfield.

Newly filed insolvency documents have revealed the full extent of the financial collapse of her private company, JMBJ Limited, exposing unpaid tax debts nearing £100,000

and painting a stark picture of the difficulties the actress has faced behind the scenes.

According to a “Notice of Final Account” lodged at Companies House, JMBJ Limited—linked to Callard and her husband, Jon McEwan—failed to pay £98,000 in taxes before the firm entered bankruptcy proceedings. The outstanding amount forms the bulk of £101,000 in unpaid bills left behind when the company collapsed in 2023, marking a distressing chapter in the former Coronation Street star’s post-Weatherfield life.

The insolvency report details how £51,000 was owed in unpaid VAT, with a further £47,000 outstanding in corporation tax. These figures remained unresolved after Callard and McEwan were only able to repay £7,500 of the £114,000 they owed the company through directors’ loan accounts (DLA). The remaining sum was written off following negotiations with joint liquidators, who concluded that further recovery attempts would be futile.

In their final update, liquidators explained the difficult decision to accept the reduced settlement. The Statement of Affairs had listed the directors’ loan accounts with a book value of £114,124 but with an “uncertain estimated realisable value.” After assessing the couple’s financial position, the liquidators determined that continuing to pursue repayment would likely cost more than it could recover.

“The Joint Liquidators accepted the sum of £7,500 in full and final settlement of the outstanding balance owed,” the report states. “This offer was deemed acceptable on the basis that, given the directors’ financial position, it was unlikely that any further recoveries would be possible and that the costs of continuing to pursue this matter would likely outweigh any potential benefit to the Company’s creditors.”

Despite the substantial sums listed on the books, the liquidators also confirmed that no formal claim had been received for the VAT or corporation tax debts. This left the tax liabilities effectively unresolved, adding another layer of complexity to an already bleak financial picture.

Beyond the tax arrears, JMBJ Limited also owed £2,784 to other creditors, all of which remains unpaid. The liquidators’ report bluntly concluded that “insufficient funds have been realised to enable a distribution to any class of creditor,” meaning that none of those owed money by the company will see repayment.

Even the liquidators themselves were left out of pocket by the collapse. Of the £33,164 incurred in liquidation costs, only £7,657 was ever paid. The final payment was made during the last liquidation period, which concluded in October 2025. With no further funds available, the liquidators confirmed that the remaining balance of £1,454.82 plus VAT was drawn as partial remuneration, adding that “no further fees will be recoverable.”

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The revelations mark a painful contrast to Callard’s long-standing image as one of British television’s most enduring and successful soap stars. Best known for her iconic portrayal of barmaid Liz McDonald, Callard was a fixture on Coronation Street for more than three decades, from 1989 until her exit in 2020. Her character became synonymous with The Rovers Return, delivering some of the show’s most memorable moments and earning her a devoted fan base.

Yet behind the scenes, Callard’s relationship with the show had begun to change long before her departure. Speaking candidly in 2023 on the podcast How to Be 60, the actress reflected on why she ultimately chose to step away from the ITV soap after so many years.

“I just felt that the scripts weren’t what they used to be,” she admitted, choosing her words carefully. “I’m trying to be diplomatic.”

When asked whether she had managed to leave before becoming miserable or disengaged, Callard was honest about the emotional complexity of that period in her life. “I wasn’t miserable; it’s difficult to put into words,” she explained. “But years ago, we used to get the scripts, and you’d open them and think, ‘Oh my goodness, this is amazing. I cannot believe I’m going to be filming this!’”

For Callard, that excitement gradually faded as the industry—and her place within it—changed. “First of all, they didn’t write for me as much because I was older,” she said. “And that really got to me.” Her comments struck a chord with many long-serving performers, highlighting the often unspoken reality of ageing in an industry that can quietly sideline its veterans.

Despite stepping away from Coronation Street, Callard remained a high-profile figure. In 2020, she appeared on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and was reportedly paid £125,000 for her stint on the reality show. The appearance reintroduced her to a new generation of viewers and showcased her resilience and warmth beyond scripted drama.

More recently, Callard has taken on a new role in Irish soap Fair City, signalling her determination to continue working despite personal and financial setbacks. The move has been seen by fans as both a fresh start and a testament to her enduring passion for acting.

However, the collapse of JMBJ Limited and the scale of the unpaid tax debts underline the precarious nature of life beyond long-running television contracts. For many actors, private companies are set up to manage earnings, but when income becomes unpredictable or expenses mount, those structures can quickly unravel.

The insolvency documents offer a rare and unflinching glimpse into the financial strain that can follow even the most successful television careers. While Callard’s public persona has long been associated with strength and humour, the figures reveal a far more vulnerable reality—one where difficult decisions had to be made, debts written off, and losses accepted.

At the time of writing, Callard’s representatives and Fair City broadcaster RTÉ have been contacted multiple times for comment, but no official response has been issued. The silence has only intensified public interest, with fans expressing both concern and sympathy for the actress as details of the collapse continue to emerge.

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For viewers who grew up watching Liz McDonald behind the bar at The Rovers Return, the story is a poignant reminder that life after the spotlight can be fraught with challenges. Beverly Callard’s journey—from soap icon to financial hardship and reinvention abroad—reads like a drama in its own right, underscoring the unpredictable realities faced by performers once the cameras stop rolling.

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As the final chapter of JMBJ Limited closes, questions remain about what lies ahead for Callard. What is clear, however, is that her story is no longer just one of fame and success, but of resilience in the face of adversity—a narrative that resonates far beyond Coronation Street and into the often unseen realities of life behind the scenes.