Mark Lamarr Banned from Driving Despite Medical Hardship Plea
Former Never Mind The Buzzcocks host Mark Lamarr has been banned from driving for six months after pleading guilty to a speeding offence, despite arguing that the ban would cause him "exceptional hardship" due to a medical condition. The comedian, known for his roles on TV shows such as Shooting Stars, was caught driving a 2019 Volvo XC60 at 46mph in a 40mph zone in Twickenham, South West London, at approximately 6.30am in June last year.
Court Rejects Hardship Claims
At Willesden Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, Lamarr, 59, of Chiswick, received three penalty points, a total fine of £236, and the six-month driving ban. He attempted to avoid the ban by citing his need to transport his young daughter and visit his mother, who suffers from arthritis. Lamarr also detailed his struggles with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, explaining that using public transport would be "out of the question" on bad days, and that walking to the train station can be "quite exhausting."
He described how on "bad days" he must "lay down for a day or two" and may be unable to walk for weeks. Additionally, Lamarr noted that he is "effectively retired" and now "dealing records," relying on his car to "find stock" for his business.
Prior Offences and Court Decision
The court was informed that Lamarr already had nine points on his driving licence from three previous speeding offences committed between August 2023 and May 2025. Regarding the recent incident, 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."
However, chairwoman of the magistrates' bench Margaret Mansi ruled that while Lamarr would experience some hardship, it did not meet the threshold for exceptional hardship required to overturn the ban.
Background and Career
Mark Lamarr rose to fame in the 1990s through television programmes like The Word, The Big Breakfast, and Shooting Stars. He hosted the popular music quiz show Never Mind The Buzzcocks from 1996 to 2005 and previously worked as a DJ for Radio 2. His career has spanned comedy, broadcasting, and music, making him a well-known figure in British entertainment.
This case highlights the legal standards for exceptional hardship claims in driving offences, particularly when medical conditions are involved. The magistrates' decision underscores that personal difficulties, while significant, must be exceptionally severe to justify avoiding a driving ban.
