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EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison used food banks to get by after being ripped off by her accountant
FORMER EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison used food banks to get by after her accountant ripped her off during her time on the soap.
Cheryl, 60, who played Heather Trott from 2007 to 2012, said she needed the help after she was hit by a £500,000 tax bill.
The mum — on a six-figure wage on ’Enders — said she turned to food banks two years ago and once more this year.
She told The Sunday Times: “I tell people to use services when you need them.
“I’ve claimed benefits when I’m not working because you’ve got to live.
“It’s very difficult in our acting situation because things come in spits and spurts.”
Cheryl said she hit hard times because her accountant did not file or pay her taxes.
She said: “I found out that I had been defrauded by an accountant who hadn’t filed or paid my taxes.
“They showed me false proof that they had sent everything to HMRC, but in reality they had taken the money.
“HMRC said it was still my responsibility to pay it and I lost between £400,000 and £500,000.
“I had this massive pay cheque and I put it in the bank, but I had to take it out to pay the taxman. I’m still chasing my tail from it.”