Doctor Who star Colin’s ban for speeding in his Da-Lexus
TEARFUL Time Lord Colin Baker came crashing down to Earth when he landed in court for travelling too fast... in his Lexus.
Baker played Doctor Who from 1984 to 1986 and is known for his colourful garb as he tackled the Daleks – famed for their catchphrase “ex-ter-mi-nate!”.
The 79-year-old actor faced magistrates after being clocked at 58mph in a 30mph zone while trying, he said, to keep up with a BBC camera crew.
The veteran TV and stage star welled up as he was asked to explain himself to the court.
Baker, of Cadmore End, High Wycombe, admitted speeding at Worcester magistrates’ court on Friday.
The court clerk said he had checked Baker’s record and he had six penalty points from December 2018 – after the actor initially claimed to have just three.
Father-of-five Baker fought back tears as he told the court he would suffer “exceptional hardship” if he was slapped with a driving ban over the incident in Shropshire on November 22 last year.
When JPs asked him what impact a ban would have, the actor, who was the sixth star to play Doctor Who, replied: “Quite a lot. Because of what I do, I’m very conscious of how I drive.”
He explained he had been working in
Telford, Shrops, and was set to film further scenes in Ironbridge the following day.
He said the stretch of road had changed from the national speed limit to 30mph. He added: “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. Yes, it’s a sob story you have 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, who has also starred in Casualty, Jonathan Creek and I’m a Celeb, said he would lose jobs if banned – and he had turned down work in order to appear at court.
Chairman of the bench Jayne Burton told Baker the speed was nearly twice the limit and not “just a few miles per hour over”.
He was banned from driving for 21 days, fined £480 and ordered to pay court costs of £95 and a victim surcharge of £34.
The actor thanked magistrates and said he would pay the full
amount within 28 days.