Churchill drops ads star Clunes after drive ban

The Men Behaving Badly and Doc Martin star had featured in Churchill Insurance’s television adverts alongside the company’s trademark nodding dog for almost a year.

But it is understood the 50-year-old, who lives with his family in Dorset, was deemed no longer compatible with car insurance advertising.

The decision was taken after he informed the company he had reached 12 points on his licence for speeding offences and was banned by magistrates under totting-up rules.

A spokesman for Churchill said: “Martin Clunes recently informed Churchill Insurance that his driving licence has been suspended after he accumulated penalty points for four speeding offences.

“Churchill Insurance currently has no adverts with Martin Clunes on air and will be moving forward with new advertising in the New Year.”

It is not clear where the offences happened or how fast Clunes was travelling.

His agent, Independent Talent Group, has not responded to requests for comment.

In the campaign, Clunes and an animatronic version of the Churchill dog travelled together on a Triumph motorbike and sidecar through the countryside, helping out neighbours in trouble.