TELEVISION star Michael French told how fame had made him a recluse as he tried to avoid a driving ban after speeding in East Lancashire.

The 41-year-old actor revealed how he had suffered abuse as a result of the celebrity status which he shunned.

He spoke after being caught driving at 51mph in a 30mph zone in Whalley Road, Great Harwood, while on his way to film hit BBC 1 series Born and Bred in Downham on June 29 last year.

The Ribble Valley village is transformed into the 1950s village of Ormston for the drama about father and son doctors, which has provided a major boost to local tourism.

Blackburn magistrates heard that French, who drives a VW Golf, had collected four speeding tickets in 2003 and was due to be disqualified under the totting up procedure.

They rejected his plea of exceptional hardship and banned him from driving for six months. He was also fined £150 with £35 costs.

French, appearing under his real name of Michael D Clark, of Thudding Road, Epping, Essex, told the court: "To use the word celebrity to describe me is not appropriate.

"I am an actor and not a celebrity. The fame I have achieved does not sit well with my personality. I love my job and I want to continue doing but I don't want to have to use public transport.

"I have ended up becoming a recluse in my own home apart from when I go out to work. I don't have much of a social life. I find it easier to be under my own control in my own car."

Peter Buckley, defending, said French was well known as a result of his roles in EastEnders and Born and Bred.

"Immediately he walks into a room he is recognised and people will speak to him. Often, for no good reason, he will suffer abuse from people for no other reason than that they think he is fair game.

"He doesn't glory in his celebrity, he has become introvert and finds it difficult to go out. He feels safer if he is in a car rather than on public transport.

"I have a medical report which indicates the seriousness of this attitude to the fame that he has acquired. I concede that report is now three and a half years old and wasn't prepared for these proceedings but it indicates the impact of the pressures of fame."

Mr Buckley said that on a practical basis French has to film on location and often that could mean starting at 6.30am. He said he had to be available at short notice and often worked late into the night.

"He would have difficulty finding someone to drive him 24 hours a day, seven days a week and he lived in a rural location, not close to any public transport," said Mr Buckley.

He said French's parents lived 15 miles away from him, his father was in poor health and he regularly went to help them.

The magistrates said they believed French would still be able to work, even if it meant hiring taxis or drivers to get him about.