Phil McIntyre takes £8m dividend

SHOWBIZ impressario Phil McIntyre received an £8m dividend last year despite a 20% drop in revenue.

His business Phil McIntyre Holdings, which is based in London but registered in Preston, manages comedians such as Peter Kay and Ben Elton as well as producing TV shows and West End musicals.

In the year to September 30 pre-tax profits fell from £4.4m to £2.9m on sales of £58.8m, down from £73.6m.

In his report Mr McIntyre said it had been a “difficult market” for concerts and live events but he was pleased with the “continued performance of the group and cashflows remain strong”.

According to the accounts the dividend reflected the accumulation of undistributed profits for several years up to 2009.

Mr McIntyre, the company’s founder and sole director, has been working in showbusiness since 1974.

The group’s Phil McIntyre Entertainments subsidiary has produced television comedies such as Craig Cash’s Early Doors and Peter Kay’s Britain’s Got the Pop Factor. It has also handled tours for comedians such as Russell Brand and Ricky Gervais.

It also has a property subsidiary based in Preston called Eco Technical Projects.