Doctor Who star Colin Baker caught speeding in Lexus after losing BBC camera crew

Colin Baker appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Friday, (August 19), and made an unsuccessful plea to magistrates not to disqualify him. 

At the start of the hearing the 79-year-old, of Cadmore End, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, spoke to confirm his name and to admit a charge of speeding - exceeding 30mph on a restricted road. 

STAR: Actor Colin Baker outside Worcester Magistrates Court. Picture: Sam Greenway

The court clerk said he had checked Baker's record and it had six penalty points, the stage actor replying: "I have three."

The court clerk said he had six from December 2018, and they had not expired as the latest offence had taken place on November 22, 2021.

The clerk told magistrates Baker had been driving his Lexus at 58mph on the 30mph Legges Way in Madeley, Shropshire, and faced a driving ban.

The father-of-five took to the witness box, holding back tears, as he argued his 'exceptional hardship' reasons for not being disqualified.

Baker was asked what effect a driving ban would have. 

"Quite a lot," the former Casualty and Jonathan Creek actor replied. 

"Because of what I do, I'm very conscious of how I drive."

The actor explained he had been working in Telford and was set to do some filming in Ironbridge the following day.

"I said 'give me the sat nav code', they said 'no follow us'," Baker said.

COURT: Colin Baker appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court

"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."

Baker explained the reason he was caught out was the stretch of the road had changed from the national speed limit to 40mph.

"Yes it's a sob story you have probably heard a thousand times, but it's true," Baker said.

ACTOR: Colin Baker played the sixth incarnation of the Doctor in the BBC show. Picture: PA

"I'm an actor, I work in theatre - I'm doing a play in October and November," Baker said, adding he would be forced to turn work down if banned due to the difficulty getting to venues. 

Baker described how he relied financially on the work saying: "Not working for me is not an option".

He added he had turned work down to appear at the hearing.

Jayne Burton, chairman of the magistrates bench, told Baker the speed was nearly twice the limit and had not been "just a few miles per hour over."

The chairman banned Baker for 21 days before asking if he had driven to court, Baker replied he had got a lift from his daughter. 

Baker was fined £480 and ordered to pay court costs of £95 and a victim surcharge of £34. 

Baker, who thanked magistrates at the end of the hearing, told them he would pay the full amount, £609, within 28 days. 

Baker played the sixth incarnation of the Doctor in the global hit BBC series, and also appeared on I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! in 2021.