Face of insurance ad didn't have insurance

It is embarrassing for a man who once advertised car insurance, but yesterday Omid Djalili was banned from the roads – for driving without insurance.

The comic was pulled over by police in May for driving his Piaggio MP3 moped down a cycle path in London, en route to the West End farce What The Butler Saw.

Police found his licence had more than 12 penalty points on it, rendering his insurance invalid – ironic for the former face of the moneysupermarket.com price comparison website.

Yesterday 46-year-old Djalili was fined £3,100 for driving in the blue ‘superhighway; bike lanes, driving without insurance and for having an expired licence. He also picked up another six penalty points.

Contesting the charges, Djalili – who has clocked up a total of 36 points over the years – claimed to be unaware that he had 12 penalty points on his licence, or that he owed £3,000 or so in outstanding fines and court costs

'I had absolutely no idea I had these points on my licence, I never received anything,’ he told City of London Magistrates. ‘Maybe I was on tour at the time doing stand-up comedy. I have never received anything about these court cases.'

And he argued he shouldn’t be disqualified from driving because on public transport he gets harassed by fans - who turn ‘abusive’ if he refuses to pose for pictures with them He further claimed there was a ‘security issue’ arguing: ‘Coming from the Middle East and not being a Muslim I’ve had death threats and have always felt more secure when I am driving.'

Djalili was represented by Freeman and Co, whose founder Nick Freeman is nicknamed Mr Loophole. He has previously successfully represented Jimmy Carr against driving charges.

Published: 21 Sep 2012