Katie Dawson Former EastEnders actor Dean Gaffney was given a six-month driving ban yesterday after admitting driving his sports car at more than 100mph on the motorway.

Gaffney, 31, pleaded guilty to a charge of driving without due care and attention at Stoke on Trent Magistrates' Court.

Gaffney was clocked driving his Audi TT convertible at 115mph in foggy conditions near Junction 14 of the M6 in Staffordshire on November 29 last year, the court heard.

His solicitor, Tim Boswell, said Gaffney accepted he was travelling in excess of 100mph but did not believe 115mph was accurate.

Gaffney, who lives with his wife and 13-year-old twin daughters in Bookham, Surrey, was fined £160 and ordered to pay costs totalling £315.

He was disqualified from driving for six months after the court, aptly situated on Albert Square, Fenton, heard he had 18 penalty points on his licence.

In mitigation Mr Boswell told the court: "Mr Gaffney comes to court accepting that he has made an error of judgment and he has let his speed get far too high.

"He comes to this court with the sense of respect and humility.

"He is not some celebrity who thinks he is above the law."

Mr Boswell said a driving ban would have a huge impact on the actor's family life, given that he is responsible for taking his daughters, who celebrate their birthday today, to school and visiting his mother, who has bipolar disorder.

He added that Gaffney may get a job in the summer in a touring play, for which he would need his car.