Kerry Katona bankrupt

Kerry Katona was today declared bankrupt after coming up short in a last-minute dash to pay off her tax bill.

The former Atomic Kitten singer had paid off all but £82,000 of the staggering £417,000 by today's deadline, set at a hearing two weeks ago after months of hoo-ha.

Her lawyers made a last-minute plea to the High Court this morning saying they were just waiting for cheques to clear - and were given ONE HOUR to come up with the rest.

But they returned to court at 1pm empty-handed.

The bankruptcy order means any of Kerry's property and possessions deemed "non essential" could be sold off to pay off the debt.