The paper said 24 investors are seeking compensation after being advised by Ward Consultancy to put cash into film schemes run by Future Capital Partners, as well as property ventures that have gone wrong.

Eclipse Film Partnership 35, one of the schemes, is known to have attracted Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and former England boss Sven Goran Eriksson. The Mail on Sunday was unsure if they were claiming redress.

The scheme backed Disney films Enchanted and Underdog but investors will lose out as the tax structure was challenged in court by HM Revenue & Customs.

The report said investors – advised by claims management firm Rebus – are rushing to being claims against Ward Consultancy as it has gone into administration.