Fraud probe launched after Scots school goes bust while boss flaunts luxury lifestyle online

Scottish Sun

18-05-2025

Pictures on social media showed him rubbing shoulders with music stars
'SMOKE & MIRRORS' Fraud probe launched after Scots school goes bust while boss flaunts luxury lifestyle online
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COPS have launched a fraud probe into a drama school that took thousands of pounds of students' fees while facing collapse.
Raging parents accused the Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television of using 'smoke and mirrors' to attract youngsters dreaming of showbiz careers.
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Andy Egan ran the Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television
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He rubbed shoulders with opera singer Russell Watson
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He also met music stars like soul group The Real Thing
And we can reveal the arts hub's boss Andy Egan, 61, was flaunting a luxury lifestyle on social media just hours before it shut on May 6 with the loss of around 20 staff jobs.
Pictures showed him rubbing shoulders with music stars including opera singer Russell Watson, 58.
Wannabe stage stars revealed they had continued to pay their dues with no warning of the school's looming liquidation — after directors were hauled before a law chief over cash owed to a property firm.
One furious mum revealed her daughter unknowingly paid £750 from her student loan to Livingston-based 'SI' on the day it folded.
She told The Scottish Sun: 'My daughter will now need to pay that loan back out of her own money.
'And she has nowhere else to go for her education.'
I don't know if my degree means anything or if I can continue. I've lost all that work and he's on social media acting like it's no big deal
Skyla
Legal documents show the institute faced a winding-up order at Livingston Sheriff Court on March 28.
The petition was granted on May 6 because it was 'unable to pay debts' — and it closed immediately.
Meanwhile, SI president Egan was urging friends in online posts to visit a luxury holiday home with no mention of the financial woes.
He showcased his celeb-spotting social life in rural Ireland, meeting pop stars such as disco legends Odyssey, Hot Chocolate's Kennie Simon and soul group The Real Thing.
Moment dealer poses with wads of cash while claiming benefits - landing him in jail
Wearing a bow-tie, he was also seen beaming alongside singer and I'm a Celeb contestant Watson.
We told how students arriving for classes were initially told the school had closed due to a power outage.
They later learned courses had been axed via a bizarre TikTok post featuring Crystal Waters' song Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless).
Third-year dance student Skyla Kelly, 19, yesterday revealed she had been left in limbo after sitting two exams before finding out her course had been scrapped — despite paying £10,000-a-year fees.
Skyla, of Bathgate, West Lothian, slammed the college supremo.
It's heartbreaking... she's devastated. He sold us this big dream, but it was all smoke and mirrors
Neil
She said: 'I don't know if my degree means anything or if I can continue.
"I've lost all that work and he's on social media acting like it's no big deal.'
Meanwhile a cleaning firm boss told The Scottish Sun he spent months chasing a £3,000 payment for work at the SI.
The contractor, named Neil, said: 'From April, May, and June, nobody got paid. His excuse was that he was waiting on a tax rebate from HMRC.
'I stopped cleaning for him, but I still wanted my money. Eventually, I got paid, as did other people.'
My daughter will now need to pay that loan back out of her own money. And she has nowhere else to go for her education
One furious mum
Meanwhile his daughter's hopes of completing a musical theatre degree have been dashed.
Neil, of Linlithgow, West Lothian, said: 'It's heartbreaking. She came bouncing down the school corridor, and she's devastated.
'He sold us this big dream, but it was all smoke and mirrors.'
Egan refused to divulge any details about the school but said: 'I'll just have to take this one on the chin.'
A notice posted on the SI's website revealed Katie McLachlan, of Edinburgh-based firm Middlebrooks Business Recovery, had been appointed liquidator.
Cops confirmed they launched a probe after students complained.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: 'On May 11 we received a report of fraud involving a business in Livingston. Enquiries are at an early stage.'
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He rubbed shoulders with singer Errol Brown