Chris Tarrant has been found guilty of drink-driving.
The ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’ host was slapped with a £6,000 fine and banned from driving for 12 months at Reading Magistrates’ Court today (18.01.18) after he admitted to whizzing from the Bladebone pub in Bucklebury, Berkshire, in his Mercedes on December 16 while heavily under the influence of alcohol.
Chris was reported to the police by a member of the public – thought to be a neighbour – and he initially denied any wrongdoing.
However, he was found with 50 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit being 35 microgrammes – when he blew on the breathalyzer.
The 71-year-old presenter’s agent Paul Vaughan said in a statement that Chris had "enjoyed a single drink and something to eat" before leaving the pub "in a sober state."
He added: "Once he was at home, as he was not to drive himself again that day, he freely admits he drank a quantity of alcohol – some brandy and later some wine.
"Having been at home for some time, he was called upon by a police officer who approached him outside his house and required him, following information received by a member of the public, to take a breath test. This test proved positive and he was formally arrested and taken to the Newbury Police Station.
"Mr Tarrant was not stopped by police at the roadside, nor was he given a roadside breath test – nor is there any allegation by police that his driving fell below standard.
"Indeed, they did not witness the journey."