21/08/2008

Former 'Kitten' Made Bankrupt

Former pop star Kerry Katona has been declared bankrupt after failing to deliver the final instalment of her large tax bill.

The former Atomic Kitten member was given until today to deliver £82,000 in a case that has been before the court four times. The total amount payable was £417,000.

Two weeks ago, Mr Registrar Nicholls said: "I am going to mark it for settlement of the balance. I am going to mark it final."

In June, Miss Katona's barrister, Luke Harris, told the Bankruptcy Court that she was expecting payments of £472,000 before the end of August, £291,000 for work already done.

Mr Harris asked the registrar to put the matter back, saying "funds were available but cheques had not cleared".

He said that as soon as the money became available, it would be brought to the court and given to Mike Thomas, the lawyer representing HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

However, just before 1pm on Thursday, the registrar called the parties back into the court and Mr Harris said he was "not in a position to assist further".

HMRC had insisted on pressing ahead with the bankruptcy despite Miss Katona's efforts to reduce the bill.

Miss Katona, 27 of Warrington, first catapulted to fame with the girl group Atomic Kitten in the 1990's - one of their most popular hits being 'Whole Again'.

She left the band in 2001 and went on to be crowned Queen of the Jungle in ITV 1's I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here in 2004.

The star has two children with former Westlife singer Bryan McFadden and two to current husband Mark Croft.

(DS)

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