A major BBC star, comedian and DJ has slipped into obscurity despite years of appearing on popular panel shows like Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Shooting Stars. Mark Lamarr - who became known as 'TV's Mr Nasty' - hosted Buzzcocks from 1996 until 2005, as well as landing radio shows on BBC Radio 2.

But after quitting his main TV role, Mark seemingly disappeared from the public eye. Though he continues to produce compilation albums for various record labels, and showcases indie music on social media, he confirmed in 2023 that he had retired at the age of 43.

Now Mark has been thrown back into the limelight, and has been banned from driving for six months after being caught speeding at 46mph in a 40mph zone. He was fined £236 for the incident, which occurred in Twickenham.

Three penalty points were added to his licence, added to nine points already accumulated for speeding incidents in 2023 and 2025.

In court, the star argued that a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome means he needs his own transport, as he is often "too exhausted" to use public transport.

Divulging more on the condition, he said that on bad days he has to "lie down for a day or two" or risk being unable to walk for weeks.

Mark argued he needs to be able to drive to transport his young daughter around and to visit his mum, who is ill with arthritis.

He 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."

Mark said he uses the car to find record stock for his music dealing work.

It's not the first difficult battle the star faced. In 2018 he became embroiled a legal battle after being charged with common assault and false imprisonment, though the Crown Prosecution Service later dropped those charges.

CPS said there was "insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of prosecution", and a court appearance at Uxbridge Magistrates' was cancelled.

The CPS later admitted it was wrong to charge Lamarr and issued an apology for "the obvious distress" it caused.

A letter addressed to the comic added: "The outcome of the review process demonstrates that the prosecutor who authorised the charges against you did so in error."