Pop star Lee Ryan was excused crown court jury duty in Oxford – after the presiding judge asked him: “Don’t I know you?”

The Blue star, left, whose hits include the group’s May 2001 UK number four single All Rise, was selected as the eighth juror on a 12-person panel to listen to evidence against a defendant facing assault charges in a three-day trial. However, as the singer was about to take his seat in the jury box, Judge Mary Jane Mowat, sitting at Oxford Crown Court, said: “I believe I know this gentleman.”

Mr Ryan, 28, said: “If you like music you might have done. I haven’t been to court or anything.”

To which the judge replied: “I was thinking more about horses.”

After a brief pause, Mr Ryan, who is known to have ridden in the past, pointed at the judge and said: “Oh yeah.”

“I would ask that you please stand down,” added Judge Mowat.

Mr Ryan, who lives in Yarnton, then rose, smiled and left court.