Former television presenter and comedian Mark Lamarr has been banned from driving for six months, despite pleading that the disqualification would cause him "exceptional hardship" due to his health conditions and family responsibilities.
Speeding Offence Leads to Disqualification
Lamarr, 59, of Chiswick in west London, pleaded guilty to driving a 2019 Volvo XC60 at 46mph in a 40mph zone in Twickenham, south-west London. The offence occurred at approximately 6.30am in June last year.
At Willesden Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, Lamarr was handed three penalty points, fined £76, and disqualified from driving for six months. He was also ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge and £130 in prosecution costs.
Prior Offences on Driving Record
The court heard that Lamarr already had nine points on his driving licence from three previous speeding offences committed between August 2023 and May 2025. This recent violation brought his total to twelve points, triggering the mandatory disqualification under the totting-up procedure.
Regarding the latest offence, Lamarr told the court: "It was very early in the morning, there wasn't anybody around. Sometimes when there's no other traffic around at all your mind isn't quite as concentrated on the few miles an hour of the speed limit you are exceeding."
Failed 'Exceptional Hardship' Argument
Lamarr attempted to avoid the driving ban by arguing it would cause exceptional hardship. He told magistrates he needs his car to transport his young daughter and to visit his mother, who suffers from arthritis.
The former TV presenter also cited his own health struggles, explaining that he suffers from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. He stated that using a bus stop would be "out of the question" on bad days, and that walking to the train station can be "quite exhausting" for him.
Lamarr described how on "bad days" he must "lay down for a day or two" and may be unable to walk for weeks. He also told the court he is "effectively retired" and now works "dealing records," using his car to "find stock" for his business.
Magistrates' Decision
Chairwoman of the magistrates' bench Margaret Mansi acknowledged that Lamarr would suffer some hardship from the driving ban but determined it would not amount to exceptional hardship as defined by law. The bench therefore imposed the six-month disqualification.
Lamarr's Career Background
Mark Lamarr rose to fame in the 1990s through television shows including The Word, The Big Breakfast and Shooting Stars. He is best known for hosting the music quiz show Never Mind The Buzzcocks from 1996 to 2005, where he worked alongside team captains Phill Jupitus and Sean Hughes.
Lamarr also previously worked as a Radio 2 DJ before effectively retiring from mainstream television work. His current activities include dealing in records, which he stated requires transportation to source stock.
The driving ban represents a significant inconvenience for the comedian, who argued extensively about the practical difficulties he will face without access to his vehicle. However, magistrates maintained that the legal threshold for exceptional hardship had not been met in this case.
