Robbie Savage avoids driving ban - because he would get 'accosted' too much if he had to use public transport

'Mr Marmite' faced the possibility of a 28-day ban

Robbie Savage will not face a driving ban (GETTY IMAGES)

Robbie Savage has avoided a driving ban for speeding - because his lawyer argued he would get "accosted" too much if he had to use public transport.

The 40-year-old former Wales international often plays the role of pantomime villain during his punditry work for BT Sport and BBC.

Savage, who played for Blackburn Rovers and Derby County among others, was rushing home from an Alan Shearer charity function to see his sons when he was clocked at 99mph in his Bentley, a court heard.

The Northern Echo have reported that Savage faced the possibility of a 28-day ban but was instead fined £600 and given six points on his licence as his lawyer argued that travelling in his car "provides something of a safe haven".

Savage did not attend court, but admitted speeding on the AI near Junction 47 for Knaresborough.

Philip Morris, defending, told the court: "He is a name I’m sure is familiar to you. He is someone who as a result of his professional playing career in football has metamorphasised into a pundit. He is therefore particularly anxious about his licence.

"Someone once described him as being like Marmite. You either love him or the opposite.

"When you are in the public eye and have to offer opinion on people's football teams you are regularly accosted when you are out in public.

"As a consequence, the car provides something of a safe haven when getting from home to work and to charitable functions."