Messy situation and would like some advice

This year I did some work for a friend's business.

The friend is abroad. I was sold a lot of things which in the end just weren't true. About how profitable this business could be and about how it would work. Over time I realised that my friend (and the other guy involved in the business) hadn't given me the full picture.

I was initially told that I could be a partner in the business. Over time that changed and it was said that I would be like an employee but working for a % of the profits. Then, later on, after many arguments about things I'd been told which just hadn't been true, my friend said 'continue working and keep a record of your hours and I'll pay you for you for what you've done...you won't be losing anything even if you continue'.

So...I just had a conversation with him. He's decided to cut his losses and will sell the business in future. I reminded him of his latest promises. Again, a bit of an argument, but he did end by saying 'send me your hours'.

Now...this is what I'm uncertain about.

I never set up a limited company for myself because it was always a case of 'let's get some business/make some profit'.

In that time, because of this mess, I didn't apply for new jobs when my contract (at my day job) ended back in the summer. So I became unemployed (besides this basically unpaid work for him. At some point I had to start claiming basic job seekers allowance of around £90 per week (I genuinely have been job seeking but the market is very bad at the moment and I'm struggling...probably not helped by the gap on my cv due to time out trying to do business with my friend).

My question is...if he pays me for my hours (questionable)...can I receive this money? And how can I receive this money? I'm certain he'll pay minimum wage so it wouldn't be a lot...maybe £5k for hundreds of hours of work. But right now that money would be really needed...my situation isn't great at all.

I'm guessing the responses will be negative...but I would appreciate some advice regardless.

Thanks for reading.