EastEnders actor Colin Salmon was overcome with emotion in a London court as he successfully appealed against an automatic driving disqualification, citing his role as primary carer for his seriously ill wife and daughter.
Emotional Plea in Court
The 64-year-old, famed for roles in James Bond and the BBC soap, pleaded guilty to speeding at 24mph in a 20mph zone on Old Oak Road, Acton, on March 31 this year. The offence occurred near his £1.2 million family home at 7.17am. However, at Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court in south-west London, Salmon gave a tearful account of his family's health struggles, which led magistrates to show leniency.
Salmon explained that he is the main carer for his wife, Fiona Hawthorne, who suffers from interstitial lung disease and relies on an oxygen tank. He also revealed his daughter, Sasha, was diagnosed with lymphoma, a blood cancer, in 2019. "They rely on you abnormally compared to most families," noted bench chairman Mark Stollery.
Why the Actor Kept His Licence
Despite accumulating 12 penalty points on his licence – which normally triggers an automatic six-month ban – the magistrates ruled he needed to keep driving. The court heard Salmon requires his car to transport his unwell family members to crucial medical appointments and to fulfil extensive charitable commitments.
His existing nine points were for previous offences: speeding on April 30, 2023, jumping a red light on February 27 this year, and driving without due care and attention on April 15. For the latest speeding violation, he was fined £666, ordered to pay £130 in costs and a £266 victim surcharge, and received three further penalty points.
The magistrates concluded that disqualifying him would cause exceptional hardship, given his unique family circumstances and charitable work. This includes teaching cricket to inmates at HMP Portland's young offenders institution and at HMP Oakwood, his role as a King's Trust ambassador, and running a steel drum band for older performers and isolated women.
A Career Move for Family
Salmon told the court he left his acting career in the United States to join the cast of EastEnders in 2022, specifically to be closer to home for family emergencies. He plays George Knight, the former boxer and patriarch of the Knight family.
"My wife fell ill while I was working in America, so I needed to stay home," he explained. He also noted that his BBC contract requires him to be self-sufficient for travel to and from the set, as the corporation does not provide cars.
Expressing remorse for his speeding offence, Salmon 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." He revealed he has since fitted a radar device to his car to monitor his speed.
