TV PUNDIT Robbie Savage was anxious to keep his licence after being clocked at 99mph in North Yorkshire because he might be accosted on public transport, a court heard.

The ex-footballer, dubbed Mr Marmite, was speeding in his luxury hand-built Bentley Mulsanne when he was spotted by a traffic officer on a 70mph stretch of the A1(M), a court heard.

Savage told the officer he was on his way back from an Alan Shearer charity bash the night before and was in a hurry to see his sons.

Yesterday, the six-figure salary BT Sport host was given the maximum six penalty points for speeding. He already has three on his licence for using a mobile.

He was also ordered to pay a £600 fine, £85 court costs and a £60 surcharge by magistrates in Northallerton, North Yorks.

Presiding Magistrate Graham Perrin said: "We have heard this chap was just 3mph over the ACPO guidelines where he would have got a £100 fine and a ticket.

"However, it is only 1mph away from us inviting Mr Savage into court for a possible disqualification."

Neil Stickland, prosecuting, said Savage, 40, of Prestbury, Cheshire, was spotted in the inside lane of the A1 at 9.15am on January 18.

The officer had spotted the performance Bentley was travelling south at "excessively above the limit," the prosecutor continued.

"He stopped the vehicle and spoke to Savage who said he was rushing to get home to his children after being at Alan Shearer's charity function the night before," Mr Stickland added.

Philip Morris, defending, denied Savage was "trying to name drop by the way he responded to the caution," adding: "It is true the night before he had been to a charity function. He had been with his wife staying overnight in Newcastle for an event which raised a considerable amount for a work colleague.

"He has two sons aged 11 and eight. Like any parent, he was anxious to return home because they had been left in the care of his father-in-law.

"Being someone who is in the public eye he has an over-reliance on family members when he and his wife stay over night, rather than baby sitters.

"He was running slightly late. There had been some frustration due to average speed check cameras further up the A1.

"At the time, he was on a particularly quiet stretch of road.

"He is a name I'm sure is familiar to you. He is someone who as a result of his professional playing career in football has metamorphosised into a pundit.

"He is therefore particularly anxious about his licence. Someone once described him as being like Marmite. You either love him or the opposite.

"When you are in the public eye and have to offer opinion on people's football teams you are regularly accosted when you are out in public.

"As a consequence, the car provides something of a safe haven when getting from home to work and to charitable functions."

Savage, who did not attend court, admitted speeding on the A1 near Junction 47 for Knaresborough.

The court heard he had one previous conviction for a mobile phone offence and already has three points on his licence so now he has nine.

The night before the offence, fellow pundit Alan Shearer had hosted the charity ball at the Hilton in Gateshead featuring a performance by Gary Barlow.