Former Brookside actor jailed for multi-million pound modelling fraud

Former Brookside star Philip Foster has been jailed for nine years, after being convicted of fraud and money laundering in February 2025. The actor, who played Christian Wright in the soap, skipped bail and went on the run before his trial.

In his absence, Foster was sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in jail for conning thousands of hopeful models. According to BBC News, he hid in Spain but was arrested in Alicante in September 2026.

Following his extradition to the UK, Foster was given an extra six-month sentence for attempting to evade justice. His co-defendants had previously come to court to be sentenced.

At Sheffield Crown Court, Judge David Dixon told him: "You were a coward, you decided to hide and didn't come and face the music."

The operation involved multiple fake modelling agencies and photographic studios that targeted aspiring young models and their parents. The scam ran for eight years in cities across the UK, including Manchester, London, Leeds, Bristol, Coventry and Nottingham, with the scheme reportedly raking in £13.6 million.

The judge noted Foster had bought designer watches and a Porsche for his daughter, and was photographed on yachts. He said this showed Foster was "living a lifestyle based on the income from this illegal scheme".

In a six-year investigation by National Trading Standards (NTS), it was found that more than 6,000 victims had handed over money, after being falsely promised opportunities for paid modelling work.

Victims were targeted through social media adverts, told they had modelling potential and invited to supposedly free photographic shoots. After 'passing' a studio test, they were instructed to buy a portfolio of photographs to join a modelling agency.

Some used credit arrangements to cover the costs, which were organised by the fraudsters, while others took out expensive payday loans. They received poor-quality digital photographs and most did not get paid modelling work.

"Foster's cruel exploits left thousands of victims in serious debt, causing lasting emotional distress and significant financial pressures," said Lord Bichard, NTS chairman.

The actor's barrister Anthony Barraclough told the court about Foster's wife, who had died from cancer, and his son, who had been murdered around Christmas 2025.

"He has had a great deal going on, of a terrible nature, but he is nevertheless an absconder," Barraclough said.

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