CELEBS allegedly involved in tax reduction schemes are “blacklisted” from knighthoods and awards in the honours list, it was claimed last night.

Football legends David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and Gary Lineker may have missed out due to their alleged involvement in lawful tax schemes, it is believed.

Beckham, 43, is said to have called the honours committee a “bunch of c****” after he was reportedly blocked from a knighthood last year.

Rooney, 32, is rumoured to have missed out after it was claimed he might have to pay up to £3.5million to HMRC after deferring a tax bill.

A memorandum between HMRC and the Cabinet Office seen by The Times states that “poor tax behaviour is not consistent with the award of an honour”.

Lineker, 57, an aid campaigner, received an OBE in 1992 but has not received an honour since.

Last year it was reported that he gave cash to offshore firm Ingenious Media Holdings to legally offset his bills under rules made to help the British film industry.

Dozens of celebs, including Robbie Williams, 44, could be among 500 suing over the controversial tax scheme.

Beckham, Lineker, Rooney and Williams were asked to comment.

A government spokesperson said: “Honours are given to reward outstanding service in a given field or area and each nomination is rigorously assessed.

"As a matter of longstanding policy, in order to protect the integrity of the system, Government departments which may have an interest in a particular nomination – including HMRC – are invited to contribute their views during this process.”