Hendry declares bankruptcy

Former footballer Colin Hendry was today declared bankrupt.

The ex-Scotland captain and Premiership defender did not attend the brief hearing at Blackpool County Court when the formal bankruptcy order was granted by a judge.

The 45-year-old, who lives in a £1.7m (€2.1m) grade two listed mansion in Lytham, Lancashire, had been personally served with a statutory demand for payment by his creditors on March 12, the court was told.

The father-of-four, whose wife Denise died last July after a botched plastic surgery operation, had applied for an Individual Voluntary Arrangement, to gradually pay off his debts.

This was rejected by most of his creditors, the court was told by barrister Tim Gosling.

Mr Gosling was representing SpreadEx, an online betting firm, who Mr Hendry also owes money to.

“Unfortunately, that was rejected by over 55% of the creditors, SpreadEx in fact voted in support of the IVA, that unfortunately could not be concluded,” he said.

Since the IVA was rejected there had been no further contact from Hendry, the court was told.

District Judge Michael Buckley granted the order. He said: “I formally make a bankruptcy order in respect of Mr Hendry.”

No figures were given by the court as to what Mr Hendry is said to owe and no court documents were made available.

But it has been reported that Hendry faces a tax bill of more than £1m (€1.2m) and owes thousands to other creditors.

Hendry was capped more than 50 times for Scotland and played for Blackburn Rovers in the Premiership before retiring from the game.