Former EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison has spoken out about losing up to £500,000 after her accountant allegedly failed to submit her tax returns
Former EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison has opened up about the devastating financial loss she suffered after her accountant allegedly swindled up to £500,000 from her accounts.
The 60-year-old actress, best known for playing Heather Trott on the BBC soap from 2007 to 2012, with a brief return in 2016, has spoken frankly about the ordeal that left her financially ruined.
More than a decade after leaving the show, Cheryl has admitted that placing her trust in the accountant became the most disastrous business decision of her career.
Speaking to The Times, she revealed that the accountant provided falsified paperwork claiming tax payments had been sent to HMRC, while allegedly keeping the money instead.
The alleged fraud is said to have cost Cheryl between £400,000 and £500,000, ultimately forcing her to sell her home.
She told the publication: “I discovered I’d been defrauded by an accountant who hadn’t filed or paid my taxes. They showed me fake evidence claiming everything had been sent to HMRC, but in reality, they took the money themselves.
“HMRC said the responsibility still lay with me, and I ended up losing between £400,000 and £500,000. I’d received a huge pay cheque and put it in the bank, only to have to withdraw it to pay the taxman. I’m still trying to recover from it all.”
The financial fallout has left Cheryl believing she’ll never own a home again, opting instead to rent for the foreseeable future. Reflecting on the change, she said: “I’ve realised renting is probably the best option for me now. Memories mean more to me than anything else, and I’d rather spend my money on experiences with my son and friends.”
Cheryl’s candid comments about her finances come after her courageous revelation that she suffered a stroke in May 2025, which temporarily left her unable to walk or speak.
During an emotional appearance on BBC Breakfast with hosts Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty, Cheryl shared an update on her recovery. She said: “I’m getting there — that’s what I keep saying whenever someone tells me, ‘How are you? You look really well.’ I reply, ‘Yes, I’m much better than I was last May when it happened.’
“I’m improving slowly and recovering gradually. It’s a long journey, but my mindset is positive now. It wasn’t at the start, but it is now. And honestly, I’m just grateful to still be here.”
The actress also reflected on what was an intensely demanding 2025 — a year in which she wrote her autobiography, celebrated turning 60, and suffered the stroke. Her memoir, she explained, explores the pressures that may have contributed to her health crisis.
She added: “It highlights a lot of the stress I’ve carried over the years, and I think it all built up. My blood pressure was always high. Our industry is known for being incredibly stressful — it’s very much feast or famine.”
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