EastEnders star 'grateful' for 'compassion' of court for no drive ban

EastEnders star Colin Salmon has said he is 'genuinely grateful' for the 'compassion' he was shown by magistrates who spared him a driving ban after he was caught speeding at 24mph close to his £1.2million home.

The actor, who has appeared in three James Bond films, was in breach of the 20mph limit in Old Oak Road, Acton on March 31.

But the Daily Mail yesterday revealed the father-of-four kept his driving licence despite multiple motoring offences as a court in south west London ruled he is the 'main breadwinner' in his family.

Salmon has now shared his appreciation for the court's understanding of his 'extraordinary circumstances' amid family health issues.

He wrote on X: 'I hold my hands up, take full responsibility & apologise.

'I actually feel the 20mph limit has improved quality of life in London.

'9 points in 7 weeks within half a mile of my front door. Proves the maxim "you're more likely to have an accident 5 mins from home!"

'The court weighed up our extraordinary circumstances, fined me but showed compassion for which I'm genuinely grateful.

'Here's to a #LessEventfulandHealthy2026.'

Salmon, who plays George Knight in EastEnders, previously said he took the role in the soap as he 'can't be far from home' because his wife is 'not well'.

The actor was best known as MI6 deputy chief of staff Charles Robinson, a character in the James Bond films Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough and Die Another Day. 

He is married to artist and illustrator Fiona Hawthorne, who previously told Hello! magazine how she was diagnosed with a rare lung condition, interstitial lung disease, which requires her to use an oxygen tank.

Yesterday it was revealed the 64-year-old actor had wept in court while outlining the serious health conditions of Ms Hawthorne and their daughter Sasha.

Magistrates ruled the star, born in Bethnal Green in east London, needed to continue driving his family to medical appointments and honour his charitable commitments.

Salmon pleaded guilty to driving his 22-year-old silver 1.3-litre Suzuki Wagon in excess of the 20mph limit.

A court heard a speed camera captured him travelling at 24mph at 7.17am, not far from the £1.2million family home in nearby Shepherd's Bush.

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He already had nine points for speeding on April 30, 2023, jumping a red light on February 27 this year and driving without due care and attention on April 15.

Salmon was fined £666, with £130 costs, ordered to pay a £266 victim surcharge and received three more penalty points which usually trigger an automatic six-month disqualification.

But bench chairman Mark Stollery told him: 'We note you are the main breadwinner and carer for your family and within the family, members have life-limiting conditions, including your wife and children, who all have varying medical conditions.'

Ruling Salmon and his family would suffer 'exceptional hardship' if he was disqualified, the magistrate added: 'They rely on you abnormally compared to most families and we also note your charitable work and that takes up time and travel.'

The Hollywood actor turned soap star, who appeared in Bond movies Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough and 'Die Another Day, had told the court why he should keep his licence.

Salmon previously opened up about his wife's serious health condition earlier this year on Good Morning Britain, detailing her diagnosis with interstitial lung disease which left her dependent on an oxygen tank.

The main reason he abandoned his international acting career to take a £15,000-per-month role on BBC soap EastEnders was to ensure he was close to home in the event of any sudden emergencies, he said.

He told magistrates: 'My wife fell ill while I was working in America, so I needed to stay home and in 2022 the opportunity came to join the cast of EastEnders and stay in London.

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'They don't offer cars. You have got to get yourself to and from work - it is part of our contract that we are self-sufficient in relation to that.'

Salmon's character in EastEnders is ex-boxer George Knight, patriarch of the Knight family and formerly co-owner of the Queen Vic pub.

He previously made a name for himself in TV shows including Prime Suspect 2, Silent Witness, Band of Gold, Judge John Deed, Bad Girls, Doctor Who, Spooks, Death In Paradise, Arrow and Midsomer Murders.

He has also repeated the role of James 'One' Shade in the Resident Evil franchise.

Salmon told the court: 'Having the car means I can get back to Fiona easily from the studio in Borehamwood.

'I have a big mortgage and two adult children that live with me.'

Salmon was handed a tissue by the court usher as he became emotional when explaining daughter Sasha fell ill with lymphoma, a cancer that affects the blood cells, in 2019.

He said: 'I had to dodge a few jobs because of her illness and savings are short apart from money tucked away for the tax bill.'

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Salmon added keeping his licence would enable his charity work to continue, including a steel drum band that along with his wife assists older performers and isolated women.

He said: 'It has also kept Fiona going and I am needed to drive the gear everywhere. I'm the captain.'

Salmon is a King's Trust ambassador, having previously fulfilled a similar role with the Prince's Trust, and plays cricket for the Lord's Taverners, another charitable organisation.

He said he also needs his licence to drive to the young offenders institution attached to HMP Portland, where he teaches cricket to inmates, and similarly at HMP Oakwood, Birmingham.

Regarding his latest speeding offence, he said: 'I am embarrassed and ashamed.

'I feel strongly about speeding near schools so to do this is ridiculous.

'I am sorry for letting down the people I am trying to help and my family and I have now bought a radar and fitted it to the car.'