Churchill drops Clunes after speeding charge
Direct Line Group has dropped actor Martin Clunes from ads for its Churchill insurance brand, a move that comes as it emerges the Doc Martin star has had his driving licence suspended for speeding offences.
Clunes has starred in ads promoting the brand’s insurance products, including motor insurance products, since December 2011. The actor appeared next to an animatronic Churchill dog in several executions including one with the two on a motorbike.
A spokesman for Direct Line Group says: “Martin Clunes recently informed Churchill Insurance that his driving licence has been suspended after he accumulated penalty points for four speeding offences. Churchill Insurance currently has no adverts with Martin Clunes on air and will be moving forward with new advertising in the new year.”
It is the second time the insurance brand has dropped a star from ads over driving offences. Comedian Vic Reeves was dropped as the voice of Churchill the dog in 2005 after being charged with drink driving.