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2000s pop star ‘hit with driving ban’ after four speeding offenses in three years

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2000s pop star ‘hit with driving ban’ after four speeding offenses in three years


Gareth Gates performing on Pop Idol in 2002
Gareth Gates was disqualified from driving (Image: Fremantle Media/Shutterstock)

Pop Idol star Gareth Gates According to reports, he was banned from driving due to a series of speeding violations.

Spirit in the Sky hitmaker, 40He was reportedly disqualified for six months for committing four speeding offenses in three years.

The latter is believed to have been traveling at 62mph in a 50mph zone, captured by speed cameras on the M4 in the South. Wales Near the Pentyla Seaway Parade Bridge.

Accordingly SunThe singer pleaded guilty to charges including speeding in his three-year-old black Range Rover Sport in Port Talbot on April 6.

He initially wanted to challenge the driving ban, claiming he would be subjected to ‘extraordinary hardship’.

But District Judge Charlotte Murphy withdrew the claim ahead of Thursday’s hearing.


Will Young and Gareth Gates performing on Pop Idol in 2002
Gates rose to fame on Pop Idol in 2002 when he lost to Will Young (Image: Fremantle Media/Shutterstock)

Gates was due to appear at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court in person but instead sent an email asking for the matter to be dealt with without him.

Judge Murphy said: ‘Mr Gates has nine points on his licence, for three speeding offences.

‘He will be banned from driving for six months.’

2002 reality star runner-up A £230 fine was also imposed.

However, due to his guilty plea, this amount was reduced to £153.


Gareth Gates at Channel 4's Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins press launch, Barbican Conservatoire, London, UK - 19 September 2023
He travels across the country for personal and professional engagements throughout his career (Image: Ash Knotek/Shutterstock for Channel Four)

As mentioned, this isn’t the first time Gates has been reprimanded for speeding.

He managed to avoid losing his license in 2017 after collecting 12 points for four speeding offences.

Gates was fined after he was pulled over for speeding 47 mph in a 30 mph zone near his home in Bradford.

Gates’ lawyer Ashfaq Chowdhury told the court his client’s career was based on driving around the country.

He told judges his disqualification would severely impact his finances as he would no longer be able to travel to events or professional activities.


Gareth Gates for the famous SAS: Who Dares Wins
Gates has already received a ticket for speeding (Image: PA)

Gareth Gates performing in 2002
The star is known for hit songs including Any of Us and Spirit in the Sky (Image: Stuart Mostyn/Redferns)

The bench heard he was ‘a one-man band, driving to engagements in his Range Rover packed to the brim with equipment, musical instruments, clothes and attire’.

Gates was: Fined £1,280 and ordered to pay £128 and a surcharge of £85 towards prosecution costs.

5 more points added to your driver’s license.

Gareth Gates’ representatives have been contacted for comment.

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