FORMER Aston Villa chairman Sir Doug Ellis reacted with shock to Lee Hendrie’s bankruptcy yesterday and said: ‘‘He loved the high life – and loved to spend his money.’’

The former England international, 34, was yesterday declared bankrupt over unpaid debts, even though he earned £24,000 a week in his heyday.

Last night, ex-chairman Sir Doug described the colourful midfielder as a “nice lad who played hard on and off the pitch.

He also claimed that Hendrie must have received “bad advice” to allow the bankruptcy case to get to court yesterday.

“He was a nice lad who purchased properties when prices were at their highest,’’ said Sir Doug, who was knighted in the New Year honours.

‘‘It should stand as a warning to other footballers that they should always get proper financial guidance.

‘‘I am very sorry that it has all gone wrong for him because he was a talented footballer.

“I have many great memories of his time in a Villa shirt. But he was a nice lad who played hard on the pitch and played hard off it.”

The 34-year-old, who did not attend the hearing in central London, has not paid back any of his debts after a petition for bankruptcy was initially brought against him by HM Revenue and Customs on December 19.

Mrs Registrar Derrett, in the High Court, heard that there had been no contact from Hendrie, no letters had been returned and no payments made.

She said she was making the bankruptcy order “in the absence of any contact.”