The Hamiltons will lead the campaign

Mr Hamilton, who was declared bankrupt in 2001 after losing a libel action against Harrods boss Mohamed al Fayed, appears with his wife Christine in a television advertisement for Visit London.

The couple are shown in a bare room, deciding which free museum to visit, while a voice-over states: "London has over 70 free museums and galleries - perfect if you're a little short at the moment."

Visit London's chief executive David Campbell told BBC London: "We were just looking for an older couple who had a bit of free time on their hands and they were available and not too expensive."

Three other advertisements, designed to attract more visitors from the rest of the UK and Europe, concentrate on clubbing, sightseeing and the theatre.

The campaign will also include press adverts in the UK in 17 regional newspapers and, from December, in French and German newspapers.

The office of London Mayor Ken Livingstone has helped fund the campaign.

Mr Campbell said the campaign would establish London as "the destination with a unique and vast choice of things to see and do".