Pop star battles to escape road ban after speeding rap
FORMER Westlife star Brian McFadden is battling a driving ban - because he fears it would hit the career of his latest band.
McFadden, who lives in Rochdale, appeared before magistrates and admitted breaking a 30mph speed limit.
He risks a six-month driving ban under “totting up rules” because he already has nine points on his driving licence. People are usually disqualified when the total reaches 12.
McFadden told three magistrates that he drives from his Rochdale home to perform across the UK with Boyzlife.
This is a group he has formed with Keith Duffy, who was formerly in Boyzone. Last year, I drove 22,000 miles in my car for work, getting to gigs,” he told the court in a hearing set aside for traffic cases.
He pleaded guilty to driving a Mercedes car at 39mph in a built-up area of Nottingham shortly before Christmas.
His barrister Danielle Manson told Nottingham magistrates the ban would amount to “exceptional hardship” to McFadden and to Mr Duffy, whose career could also suffer.
Presiding magistrate Peter Forster said: “There are other ways to get around, like taxis.”
But Miss Manson said: “He drives many thousand of miles and may not get home until 2am. That is asking a lot of people who may drive him.
“Two recent concerts were in Wales and Birmingham and he had to drive home after.”
The magistrates agreed to adjourn the hearing for six weeks so he can get a letter from Mr Duffy, showing the effect on their joint enterprise. Other documents will also be provided.
Sharon Williams, prosecuting, did not object to the decision to adjourn the case.
When contacted, his management said they would provide no further comment.
Dublin-born McFadden, 38, became famous in 1998 as one fifth of the boy band Westlife.
His abilities were spotted by music manager Louis Walsh, the Britain’s Got Talent judge who discovered Boyzone and Westlife.
He left the band for family reasons and is also a successful songwriter and TV presenter.
McFadden later launched a solo career.
This has brought him No 1 singles in many countries including Ireland and Denmark as well as the UK. He was one of the writers of “Together We Are One” which was produced for the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
He was married to Kerry Katona of the pop group Atomic Kitten from 2002 ro 2006 and Irish model Vogue Williams from 2011 to 2015.
He moved to Rochdale after finding love with PE teacher Danielle Parkinson - the bonus being that it brought him closer to his beloved Manchester United.
McFadden said last year: “We met in Manchester through mutual friends and at the moment it’s my first home. I’m in Rochdale all the time now.
“It’s perfect for me because I’m a Manchester United supporter and I enjoy playing golf in Manchester.”