T-SHIRT Gareth Gates has been banned from driving after racking up four speeding offenses in less than three years.

The Pop Idol star was caught doing 62mph in a 50mph zone on the M4 southbound Wales.

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Gates, 40, was due to appear at Cardiff Magistrates Court but sent an email asking to be dealt with in his absence.

He pleaded guilty to speeding while black for three years Range Rover Sport at Port Talbot on April 6th.

Gates, runner-up in the first series of Pop Idol in 2002, was set to fight the ban, claiming he would suffer “exceptional hardship”.

But District Judge Charlotte Murphy heard Gates had withdrawn the plea before Thursday’s hearing.

Judge Murphy said: “Mr Gates has nine points on his license for three speeding offences. He will be disqualified from driving for six months”.

Gates, of Keighley, Bradford, was fined £230 but because he pleaded guilty it was reduced to £153.

The singer was caught by a notorious speed camera on the Pentyla Seaway Parade Bridge near junction 41 of the M4.

Gates has a history of speed to and from personal engagements and charity UK events.

He avoided losing his license in 2017 when he racked up 12 points for four speeding offences.

The last was near his home in Bradford when police pulled him over for doing 47 mph in a 30 mph zone in his RangeRover.

He told magistrates at the time that a ban would result in heavy financial loss to others and leave him unable to fulfill his professional, personal and charitable commitments.

The court heard he was a “one-of-a-kind band, driving to engagements in his Range Rover packed to the brim with gear, musical instruments, clothes and outfits”.

On that occasion he was hit with a £1,493 fine.

Three disappointed fans turned up at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court hoping to catch a glimpse of the Pop Idol favourite.