Rowan Atkinson's classic car trouble

Comedian Rowan Atkinson, who has offered to chauffeur a group of Standard readers to work in his own Rolls-Royce as part of our Christmas Charity Auction, has promised there will be no "Mr Bean moments" - such as the one which befell him in central London last night.

The 54-year-old, who was attending a private dinner at Asprey's with his wife Sunetra, was forced to use a fire extinguisher on his vintage 1952 Jaguar racing car when the engine suddenly burst into flames.

Despite the assistance of the RAC, he was unable to get it running again and was forced to wait for a tow truck.

Atkinson, a fan of classic cars and motor racing, recently appeared in character as Mr Bean at the Goodwood racing circuit, driving a Mini while seated on the roof.