Darren Day denies drink-driving

Darren Day denied the allegation at his court appearence

Actor Darren Day has denied drink-driving after being stopped by police in the early hours in Cardiff.

The 40-year-old pleaded not guilty to driving at nearly double the legal alochol limit through a red light the city centre three weeks ago.

He was said to have failed to provide a breathalyser sample three times after being stopped, hours after appearing on stage in the musical Hello Dolly!

He was given unconditional bail to appear before magistrates on 27 August.

He was stopped in his Mercedes by officers after performing at Cardiff's New Theatre.

Lynne Bartlett, prosecuting, said: "At 1.50am officers on routine patrol say they observed Mr Day's car travelling at speed in the opposite direction while they stopped at a junction.

"They turned their police car round as Mr Day drove though a red light."

The court heard that officers attempted to use a breathalyser test at the roadside but it was unable to give a reading, and he was arrested and later provided a positive sample.

The court heard that Day had 65 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath when the legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

Day, wearing a light grey suit and pale yellow tie, appeared before magistrates for a 20-minute hearing.

He spoke to enter his not guilty plea and to confirm his name and address in Barnsley, South Yorkshire.

His solicitor Jenny Kumeta told the court: "He had been in the car no more than 20 seconds with the engine on when police called him over.

"The police officers statement included details of him going through a red light and onto the other side of the road. But he was never interviewed in relation to this."

He is currently starring as Cornelius Hackl in Hello, Dolly! at the Empire Theatre in Liverpool.