Company ‘rude’ to axe West Dorset actor Clunes (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

Company ‘rude’ to axe West Dorset actor Clunes

11:00am Thursday 31st January 2013 in News

ACTOR Martin Clunes of Beaminster has branded car insurance company Churchill ‘rude’ for dropping him from its adverts after he was disqualified from driving.

He featured in the tv adverts alongside the company's trademark nodding dog for almost a year.

But Clunes was axed in November after he accrued 12 points on his licence for speeding offences and magistrates banned him from driving.

Mr Clunes, 51, told the Radio Times that he had not expected to be dropped.

He said: “I was very surprised by their reaction.

“It was neurotic and very heavy-handed, quite rude, actually.

“They never said goodbye.

“They never said thanks.

“They washed their hands of me completely.”

Churchill Insurance defended its decision.

A spokesman from Churchill said: “We take the issue of road safety seriously and so felt that it was not appropriate to continue the relationship with him.”

Mr Clunes lives with his family on a 135-acre farm at Buckham Down near Beaminster, with horses, dogs, cats, sheep, chickens and cows.