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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Tina Campbell

Billy Joel defends Justin Timberlake after drink-diving arrest

Billy Joel has urged people not to judge pop star Justin Timberlake following his arrest for drink-driving.

Timberlake allegedly claimed he had consumed just “one martini” when police pulled him over for reportedly swerving on the road in the Hamptons, following a night out with friends on Tuesday.

He was eventually charged with a driving-while-intoxicated misdemeanor and banned from driving in New York for one year after allegedly refusing to do a breathalyser test.

The Cry Me A River hitmaker will next appear in court on July 26.

The following day music legend Billy Joel, 75, was spotted dining at the same eatery Timberlake had been at just hours earlier.

Justin Timberlake in mugshot released by police (Supplied)

It’s also the same place Joel dined at more than 20 years ago, after which he smashed his car into a tree in the Hamptons.

“Judge not lest ye be judged,” the musician told PIX11 News when approached for comment.

Meanwhile, broadcaster Gayle King also lent her support to the embattled musician, hailing him a “really great guy”.

Appearing on CBS’ Morning show, she said: “Listen, this is clearly a mistake. I bet nobody knows it more than he does.”

US Broadcaster Gayle King has hailed Justin Timberlake a ‘really great guy’ (Getty Images)

Defending his character, she continued: “He's not an irresponsible person. He's not reckless, careless.

“Clearly this is not a good thing. He knows that. I love when they stopped Billy Joel and he said, ‘you know, wait, not everybody judge at this particular time’.”

She added: “Listen, driving drunk, there's never any excuse ever, ever.”

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