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Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? host Chris Tarrant charged with drink-driving ‘after tip off to cops’

WHO Wants To Be A Millionaire? host Chris Tarrant has appeared in court charged with drink-driving.

Locals suspect cops breath-tested the star, 71, after a tip-off from someone bitter at his bid to extend his £2million mansion.

Chris Tarrant
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Chris Tarrant has appeared in court charged with drink-drivingCredit: Jon Bond -The Sun

They stopped his £60,000 Mercedes at 2.30pm as he left the Bladebone Inn for his nearby home.

He was said to have had 50mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath — above the 35mcg legal limit.

Tarrant faced Reading JPs.

He missed a carol service that day in his home village of Bucklebury.

 Chris Tarrant was stopped in his £60,000 Mecedes as he left a boozy lunch at the Bladbone Inn
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Chris Tarrant was stopped in his £60,000 Mecedes as he left a boozy lunch at the Bladbone Inn
 Chris returns to court on January 18th
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Chris returns to court on January 18thCredit: INS News Group

One local said: “We heard he was coming, then he didn’t.”

The dad of four moved to Bucklebury, Berks, in 2004 and bought a £1million home.

He extended it three times.

A bid to make it a nine-bed pad was rejected by councillors but passed on appeal.

 Chris Tarrant and long-term partner Jane Bird have stepped out of the limelight following his stroke in 2014
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Chris Tarrant and long-term partner Jane Bird have stepped out of the limelight following his stroke in 2014Credit: Rex Features

Cops said: “Chris Tarrant was charged with driving above the limit.

"He appeared before magistrates on December 18.”

 Chris Tarrant and partner Jane Bird attended The Bladebone’s pub's Halloween party earlier this year
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Chris Tarrant and partner Jane Bird attended The Bladebone’s pub's Halloween party earlier this year
Chris Tarrant
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Chris Tarrant vowed to give up whiskey following his stroke in 2014Credit: JOHN PAUL BROOKE/SCOPEFEATURES.COM

A source close to him said he would deny it. A spokesman said: “He’s taking legal advice.”

He returns to court on January 18.

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