Atkinson 'to quit comedy for cars'

Rowan Atkinson is to quit comedy for a year - to go motor racing.

The car-mad comic cannot indulge his passion while he is working because of insurance problems.

So once he has finished promoting his latest film, the spy spoof Johnny English, he intends to take time out to race.

He told the Sunday Times Motoring supplement: "I'm hoping to compete in the full Aston Martin championship this year.

"The frustration is that if you're working, making films or TV programmes, people don't like you to race for insurance reasons.

"I couldn't race at all last year because of Johnny English. You are forbidden.

"Something I must emphasis about my driving is that I'm not much good. I am a very, very average racing driver."

Published: 6 Apr 2003