Holly Valance: 'Court Case Left Me Broke' 9/22/08

Prison Break star Holly Valance was left broke following a court battle with her former manager - insisting a "plumber" made more money than her at the time.

The Australian actress made her name in her native country, starring in soap opera Neighbours, but her promising career had to be put on hold when her ex-manager sued her for alleged breach of contract.

In 2003 Valance was forced to pay out around $259,000 (£140,000) in compensation as well as spiralling legal costs. And she insists that the incident stripped her of all her savings and left her completely penniless.

She says, "The case also cost millions of (Australian) dollars in lawyers fees. I was not all that wealthy, either. A plumber would make more money than you get out of working on Neighbours. I had to think of it as a new beginning.

I thought, 'It is just a number in a bank account'. I did not grow up with money so I knew I could live without it."

Valance went on to launch a music career, and has also starred in several high profile U.S. TV shows, including CSI: Miami.

She is about to appear on the big screen alongside Liam Neeson in new movie Taken.