However, advisers are arguing that the strategy most likely to succeed in maintaining Disney’s independence is ousting Eisner and replacing him with someone more respected by shareholders.

Last Wednesday Comcast stunned Disney with a surprise offer to trade 0.78 of a Comcast class A share for each Disney share. Disney’s stock has since made gains, setting a 52-week high of $28.41 on Thursday before settling at $26.92 on Friday.

In contrast, Comcast shares have fallen sharply since the hostile offer was announced. Disney shareholders have argued that for Comcast’s bid to be taken seriously, it needs to be pitched above $30 a share.

Brian Roberts, Comcast’s chief executive, called Eisner on Monday offering a deal, but was rebuffed. Eisner has since said the board would consider every aspect of the proposal.

Mitchell is a former US senator who helped to broker the Northern Ireland peace process. Last Tuesday, before the Comcast bid, he said the board of directors had met in January to consider a succession plan for Eisner and planned to devote more time to the issue. Sources said that process had intensified since the bid.