Celebrities including David Beckham and Gary Lineker lose their latest legal battle to overturn £480million tax bill after investing in controversial film schemes (Details, pics)

Football stars David Beckham and Gary Lineker face paying a share of a £480 million tax bill after losing an appeal against a decision by HMRC to reject their claim for relief over investments in the film industry.

The pair were among 81 celebrities and high profile sports stars who had invested in film-funding schemes which pumped money into hit movies such as Avatar. In a long-running legal battle, the stars, who include Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerard, Ant and Dec, Geri Horner and Davina McCall, have claimed they did not intend to avoid paying tax on their investments.

HMRC began investigating the firm, Ingenious, which was behind the scheme. The Ingenious Film Partners 2 LLP scheme qualified for tax breaks under rules designed to stimulate the British film industry, with hit movies such as Life of Pi, Avatar and Girl With a Pearl Earring qualifying for tax relief.

But HMRC argued such schemes were not legitimate investment opportunities but actually a means of avoiding tax, and a tax tribunal has now ruled the incentives were 'not allowable deductions', upholding a previous decision in 2016.

According to the Sun, the stars have lost the latest part of their legal battle at the Court of Appeal.

Each of the stars had to commit a minimum of £100,000 to the investment scheme which is designed to stimulate the British film industry.