**Holly Willoughby’s Company Granted Extension Over £377,000 HMRC Tax Dispute**
Holly Willoughby, one of Britain’s best-known television personalities, is facing an ongoing financial dispute as her media company has been granted further time to address a substantial tax debt with HM Revenue & Customs. The firm, Roxy Media, which is operated by Willoughby in partnership with her husband, Dan Baldwin, has found itself under significant scrutiny after being issued with a winding-up petition by HMRC earlier in the year.
The debt at the centre of this legal battle reportedly stands at £377,000, according to recent court records. While the original amount owed was not publicly disclosed, it appears this sum reflects a reduction. These proceedings bring to light how even high-profile media figures are not exempt from the financial and administrative pressures faced by business owners throughout the UK.
During a hearing earlier this week at the Insolvency and Companies Court, legal representation on behalf of HMRC said the government was aware the company was attempting to launch a late appeal regarding the debt. Charlotte Cooke, the counsel representing the tax authorities, told the court: “I understand the company has submitted an application for a late appeal to be heard. Our position is that that is opposed. This has gone on long enough.” This comment highlights growing frustration on the part of HMRC, who appear keen to bring the situation to a conclusion after months of delay.
Meanwhile, the company’s representative, Michael Collins, confirmed Roxy Media is indeed appealing to the tax tribunal, although the court was provided with no further information as to the specifics of the legal challenge or whether any payments have already been made to reduce the debt in question. Mr Collins stated that the firm was now awaiting a scheduled date for the tribunal hearing, which will determine the next phase of this financial dispute.
In light of these developments, Insolvency and Companies Court Judge Sally Barber decided to adjourn the hearing, granting the company an extension until a further court session set for 20 August. The court’s adjournment provides Roxy Media more time to resolve the issues, either through paying down the debt or proceeding with the tribunal challenge.
The origins of Willoughby’s Roxy Media trace back over a decade, as records from Companies House indicate she became a director in 2014, with her husband assuming a directorship six years earlier. The firm primarily manages media and production activities, with Willoughby’s own profile as a television presenter supporting the company’s brand. After stepping down from ITV’s ‘This Morning’, Willoughby has retained wide public interest, but this legal dispute has brought fresh attention to her business affairs.
Industry experts note that it’s uncommon for television personalities of Willoughby’s stature to appear before insolvency courts, and such proceedings underscore the importance of rigorous financial oversight regardless of public success. For HMRC, taking action against high-profile individuals serves not only to recoup funds but also to reinforce the expectation that tax compliance is universal.
The coming weeks will prove significant as the company awaits both the tribunal date and the next court hearing. Observers will be watching closely to see whether the dispute can be settled amicably or if a more dramatic outcome, such as the winding-up of the firm, becomes inevitable.
With the next court date scheduled for late August, both HMRC and the management of Roxy Media will be under pressure to demonstrate progress in finding a resolution, either through payment or a successful legal appeal. The story remains emblematic of the wider issues faced by many in the media sector, where the intersection of creative enterprise and business administration can create complex challenges.
Further updates are expected once the tribunal sets a date and the court reconvenes, adding new developments to this ongoing financial saga involving one of the country’s most recognisable TV stars.