Neighbours shopped drink-driving Tarrant

CHRIS TARRANT was caught drink-driving after neighbours tipped off police after he reportedly fell out with them over his building plans.

The 71-year-old host of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? has been banned from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay £6,000 after he admitted to being over the limit in his Mercedes on Dec 16.

He had spent an hour and a half in the Bladebone public house near his home in Bucklebury, West Berks, where he was served four brandy and ports before getting into his car.

A neighbour reportedly put in a call to police after seeing him stumble at the bar before driving home.

The incident adds to an already tense relationship with local residents after Tarrant lodged planning proposals to extend his £2million home.

Reading magistrates’ court heard that Tarrant’s breathalyser reading was 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath – the legal limit is 35mg.

Hasrat Ali, prosecuting, said: “From 12.30pm, Mr Tarrant was served four brandy and ports at the bar.

“He left at 2pm. Staff and other members of the public were concerned he had made the decision to drive home. One member of the public had noticed Mr Tarrant had stumbled near the bar area. Police attended his home at 2.25pm, 13 minutes after being called.”

As he left court, Tarrant said: “I made a mistake and I paid for it.”