EX-football ace Emile Heskey has been ordered to pay almost £200,000 costs from his legal battle with the taxman.

The former England striker, 46, landed the bill in a dispute with HMRC over unpaid tax of £1.6million.

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He was being taken to court over 15 penalty notices issued in 2005.

Heskey was due to face a High Court trial in 2019 but it did not take place when he admitted liability for the debt.

Specialist cost judge Mark Whelan ruled he should pay £194,794.42 in legal fees.

He said the sum was “reasonable and proportionate” for the case.

Interest is not included in the calculation, meaning that the star may end up paying even more.

Heskey did not attend the hearing and was not represented.

The former striker played for teams including Leicester City, Liverpool, Birmingham City and Aston Villa in his club career.