Lionel Richie owes $1.1m in tax

The soul singer, who resides in Los Angeles, has been hit with a lien - an official claim against his property - for the payment of his debt which totals $1 130 609, according to TMZ.com.

The musician has racked up a huge number of hits over the years, including Hello, Dancing On The Ceiling and Easy Like Sunday Morning, and according to legal documents he is worth a reputed $200m.

Repossess his property

If Lionel - who recently released a duets album, Tuskegee, featuring new versions of his greatest hits - fails to pay the bill then the American government could repossess his property to clear the debt.

The 62-year-old star - the father of Nicole Richie - will next appear alongside Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Nettles and Robin Thicke as judges on new TV show Duets.

His representative is yet to comment on the claims.