Comic Reeves admits drink-driving

The comedian Vic Reeves has admitted driving his Mark 2 Jaguar while over the drink-drive limit. The 46-year-old crashed into a stationary Peugeot 106 in Maidstone, Kent, last month.

A further charge of leaving the scene of the accident, which took place near the comedian's home, was adjourned until a second hearing on 21 April after legal argument. Reeves' wife, Nancy Sorrell, 30, a model, was at Maidstone magistrates' court for the hearing yesterday. Alan Phipps, chairman of the bench, granted Reeves unconditional bail but said that he would be subject to an interim driving disqualification until he was sentenced for the drink-driving offence.

Reeves, who created hit BBC shows including Shooting Stars with his comedy partner Bob Mortimer, made no comment to waiting reporters as he left court. Adverts starring Reeves were suspended by Churchill Insurance after the crash and yesterday the company announced that Reeves had been dropped from the campaign.

Greg Dawson, spokesman for the company, said: "We take all road safety issues extremely seriously, so feel this can be our only course of action. The TV advert that has Vic's voice as the questioner has been off air since Easter. A new commercial is running using Simon Greenall, who is a professional voiceover provider."