- Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.co.uk
Mark Lamarr was once widely loved and respected in the showbiz world after rising to fame in the early 1990s on The Word before his stint on Buzzcocks.
But after his assault charge and surprising departure from the BBC, life began to spiral for the funnyman.
The former presenter, 58, looked completely unrecognisable as he was spotted for the first time last week – almost 30 years since he found fame.
He was spotted enjoying a stroll through leafy West London as he enjoyed the summer heat.
While Mark also hosted BBC game show Shooting Stars for eight series, he is best remembered for hosting Never Mind The Buzzcocks.
He hosted the original run of the game show, between 1996 and 2005 before stepping away after 17 series at the helm.
Mark Lamarr, 58, was once widely loved and respected in the showbiz world after rising to fame in the early 1990s on The Word before his stint on Buzzcocks (pictured last week)
But after his assault charge and surprising departure from the BBC, life began to spiral for the funnyman (Mark pictured with Phill Jupitus and Sean Hughes in 1998)
After quitting the hugely successful programme, Mark remained with the BBC and had a Friday night show on Radio 2.
Mark shunned the spotlight soon after he dramatically quit the BBC in 2010 after decades with the broadcaster.
He claimed at the time bosses were focusing more on mainstream music, which made him feel ‘extremely uncomfortable’.
In a letter published at the time, Mark wrote: ‘It’s become obvious over the last year the station has become much less interested in non-mainstream music, and my position there has been extremely uncomfortable.
‘It’s a sign of the times I suppose. I’m stupidly proud of the shows I’ve done there for 12 years and I know I always did the right thing. I’m equally sure I’m doing the right thing now.’
A BBC spokeswoman at the time said the station was ‘sorry to see him go’ and said his shows would be replaced ‘with equally distinctive content’.
After shirking the spotlight following an assault case in 2018, Mark’s new lifestyle is a far cry from his days in showbiz.
In 2018, Mark made headlines when it was revealed he was charged with assaulting and holding prisoner a woman believed to be an ex.
After quitting the hugely successful programme, Mark remained with the BBC and had a Friday night show on Radio 2
Mark shunned the spotlight soon after he dramatically quit the BBC in 2010 after decades with the broadcaster
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that Mark was charged on September 1 with common assault and false imprisonment.
However, the charges were dropped just one day before his scheduled court appearance, with Mark receiving an apology.
In a letter, the CPS said they were sorry for ‘the obvious distress it had caused’ him.
A neighbour of Mark’s previously revealed how he actively shuns the limelight and keeps a low profile, though he is ‘always pleasant enough’.
The former DJ previously posed his favourite music tracks on X, formerly Twitter, but appears to have stopped posting in 2022.
He previously posted: ‘To the half dozen people who ask me every day where I’m broadcasting. It’s here. This is it. Hope you enjoy it.’