Gary Barlow meets David Cameron
David Cameron and Gary Barlow getty images

David Cameron is hosting his own version of Tony Blair's "Cool Britannia" party but there is no place on the guest list for Tax-avoiding Gary Barlow.

The Take That frontman who was revealed last month as having taken part in a massive tax avoidance scheme is a notable omission from the party which is being held on June 30th to celebrate the best of British creative industries.

Acting talent, from Benedict Cumberbatch to Emma Watson, as well as some of the biggest names in music such as Katherine Jenkins and Eliza Doolittle have been invited to No 10 for the reception this month.

The snub to Barlow is the most notable consequence so far of last month's ruling that he must pay millions after an investment fund for musicians he took part in was shown to be a tax avoidance scheme.

Cool Britannia started in 1997 when Tony Blair tried to cash in on the Britpop craze, this year's guest list includes established figures such as Simon Cowell, Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig and Dame Helen Mirren.

The investment scheme used by Barlow was also employed by around 1,000 other celebrities and wealthy people. It had about £340m under management, and included investments from the likes of Olympic hurdler and BBC pundit Colin Jackson and former England manager Terry Venables.

Investors in the scheme are expected to be ordered to pay out an average of £357,000. While Jason Orange and Robbie Williams were not believed to have been involved in the scheme, the remaining members of Take That are understood to be among its largest investors.

Cameron's government has recently been talking tough on tax evasion. However the PM defended Barlow and said the star's OBE should not be revoked in this case.

Cameron said: "Gary Barlow has done a huge amount for the country, he has raised money for charity, he has done very well for Children in Need, so I'm not sure. The OBE is in respect of that work and what he has done."