Martin Clunes dropped by Churchill after speeding offences

[dutchman]

Martin Clunes has been axed from the Churchill Insurance television advertisements.



The Doc Martin actor has starred opposite the Churchill nodding dog for nearly a year.

However, he has now been dropped by the company after it was revealed that he has reached 12 points on his driving licence and has been suspended for speeding offences, reports The Daily Telegraph.

A spokesman for Churchill said: ''We have worked with Martin Clunes in a brand advertising campaign since December 2011.

''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 currently not clear how fast Clunes had been driving, or where the offences took place.

Vic Reeves was previously dropped as the voice of Churchill's nodding dog in 2005 after he was charged with drink-driving.

Martin Clunes will return for a sixth series of Doc Martin in the autumn of 2013.

[dutchman]

Dawn French replaces Martin Clunes as face of Churchill Insurance ads



Dawn French has reportedly signed up to become the new face of Churchill Insurance.

The actress and comedian will appear in a new series of advertising campaigns for the company, reports The Sun.

French replaces the outgoing Martin Clunes, who was recently dropped from the commercials after his driving license was suspended over speeding offences.

She is expected to appear opposite the company's nodding dog mascot in the TV adverts.

Dawn French was previously the face of Terry's Chocolate Orange until 2007, while also appearing in commercials for Tesco among others.

The Vicar of Dibley star recently stated that her boyfriend Mark Bignell had never seen her on TV before they started a relationship.