Former ‘Doctor Who’ actor Colin Baker fought tears up as he was banned for speeding in Lexus

21 August 2022

Former ‘Doctor Who’ actor Colin Baker held back tears up as he was banned from driving after he lost track of space and time.

Former ‘Doctor Who’ actor Colin Baker held back tears up as he was banned from driving after he lost track of space and time

The 79-year-old, who was also fined, was caught doing 58mph in a 30mph zone on his way to film a show, The Sun On Sunday revealed.

A court heard how the ex-curly headed Time Lord veteran committed the offence while he got lost following a BBC camera crew last November.

The dad-of-five told magistrates he was working in Telford, Shropshire, and was set to film in Ironbridge the next day when he got waylaid in his Lexus – and failed to notice a speed limit had changed.

According to the Sun On Sunday, Baker explained: “I said, ‘Give me the sat nav code’. They said, ‘No, follow us’.

“I followed the BBC camera car, lost them on a roundabout, tried to catch up and that’s when I committed the offence. I had no intention of speeding.”

Baker added he was caught out as a stretch of road changed from the national speed limit to 30mph.

He said: “Yes, it’s a sob story you’ve probably heard a thousand times, but it’s true. I’m an actor, I work in theatre.

"I’m doing a play in October and November. Not working for me is not an option.”

Baker from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire admitted speeding at Worcester magistrates court.

Chair of the bench Jayne Burton said the actor, who already has six points on his licence, was doing nearly twice the limit.

The Sun On Sunday said the actor was seen fighting tears as he got a 21-day ban and £480 fine.

He was also ordered to pay court costs of £95 and a victim surcharge of £34.

When magistrates asked him what the impact a ban would have, the actor, who also starred in Casualty and Jonathan Creek, replied: “Quite a lot.”

He added: “Because of what I do, I'm very conscious of how I drive.”

Baker added he would be forced to turn work down if banned due to the difficulty getting to venues, and said he had turned down work in order to appear at court.

The actor thanked magistrates and said he would pay the full £609 within 28 days.

He played the Time Lord in the BBC’s ‘Doctor Who’ from 1984 to 1986 and came eighth when he appeared on ITV’s ‘I’m a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!’ in 2012.