Video: Worst excuses from TV license dodgers exposed in new advert "Apparently my dog, which is a corgi, is related to the Queen's dog so I didn't think I needed a TV Licence," is one of the real-life excuses given to TV Licensing last year in an effort to evade payment. With over 400,000 people caught without a valid TV Licence over the last twelve months it is perhaps not surprising that some explanations were beyond the realms of probability. "I could not pay as I only have two pairs of pants and they were both in the wash," was the reason given by a viewer in Slough. Meanwhile, television set owner in Scotland claimed he only used his as a lamp. "If you switch it on it gives a good glow which allows me to read my book," the license dodger argued. Stephen Farmer, TV Licensing spokesperson said, "Some of the excuses are simply hilarious, but being caught without a valid TV Licence is a criminal offence and no laughing matter. Joking and wacky excuses apart, it's breaking the law to watch live television without a licence. TV Licensing have now turned the top three worst excuses into short animated sketches designed by BAFTA award winning Scottish animation partnership, White Robot, to remind people they need to pay the tax. Viewers caught without a valid license face fines up to £1,000.