Javine Hylton, who represented the UK at the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv, was arrested last week for failing to attend a court appearance for charges of drink-driving.

Acting on a warrant issued nine days after the scheduled hearing, police first took the singer to court in London. She was then held in cells before being released.

The alleged offence took place on December 15 last year. Ms Hylton was pulled over by police, who spotted her driving erratically in a silver Mercedes convertible near Picadilly Circus in the UK capital.

Javine has issued a public statement expressing her regret for the crime. She commented “I deeply regret driving that night. It was a stupid mistake, very wrong and I've learnt a lesson.”

The former Popstars, the rivals hopeful was recently mentioned as a contestant in the forthcoming Channel 4 series The games, where celebrities go head-to-head in physical, Olympic-style challenges.

At the Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv, she finished in a disappointing 22nd place for the UK.