Shropshire Star

Top Gear’s Paddy McGuinness says he was 12 when he first drove on public roads

The comedian had his first taste of driving in his father’s Hillman Avenger.

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Paddy McGuinness

Paddy McGuinness has revealed that his first motoring experience came aged just 12 when his father let him drive the family car on public roads.

The comedian, 45, said his father let him drive around near their home in his Hillman Avenger – a small rear-wheel family car.

The incoming Top Gear presenter, who is currently filming the 27th series of the long-running BBC motoring show, joked that he could not condone his own behaviour.

Paddy McGuinness
Paddy McGuinness said he first took to the roads aged 12 (Ian West/PA)

But the Take Me Out host said he thought it had been acceptable at the time because public roads “were kind of desolate back then”.