Sir Bob Geldof is facing a potential multi-million-pound lawsuit from two former members of the Boomtown Rats, who claim he owes them unpaid royalties.

Garrick Roberts and Johnnie 'Fingers' Moylett, who co-founded the band, say they have not received any royalties since the group disbanded in 1986.

They claim a contract drawn up in the 1980s has been ignored and no one but Geldof has profited.

Roberts said: 'During the 1980s, we signed an agreement saying songwriting royalties would be split - with 50 per cent going to the writer and 50 per cent going to the other band members. But when the band split up none of us, bar Geldof, heard anything.

'We weren't given any control over the songs and haven't received a penny,' added the 56-year-old, who now works as a plumber in Herefordshire.

'Johnnie and I decided to look into the situation, so we appointed solicitors to ask Bob Geldof and the accountants dealing with the band where the royalties have gone.

'Every time one of our songs appears on a greatest hits album, money is generated - but I haven't seen any of it.' Geldof was unavailable for comment last night.