EastEnders actor Colin Salmon broke down in court this week as he was spared a driving ban for speeding, after pleading guilty to the offence at Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court. The 61-year-old, who plays George Knight in the BBC soap and is known for his role as Charles Robinson in three James Bond films, was caught by a speed camera on March 31.
Salmon, already carrying nine penalty points from previous convictions, faced an automatic six-month ban under the totting-up procedure. However, magistrates waived the ban after hearing that losing his licence would prevent him from driving his wife, Fiona Hawthorne, and their daughter, Sasha, to vital medical appointments.
Hawthorne lives with interstitial lung disease, requires an oxygen tank, and has undergone a double lung transplant. Their daughter Sasha was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2019. The court heard Salmon is the main breadwinner and carer for his family.
Bench chairman Mark Stollery told Salmon: '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.' Salmon was fined £666, ordered to pay £130 in costs and a £266 victim surcharge, and received three additional penalty points.
In a post on X on New Year's Day, Salmon expressed gratitude for the court's compassion, writing: 'I hold my hands up, take full responsibility & apologise. The court weighed up our extraordinary circumstances, fined me but showed compassion for which I'm genuinely grateful.' He also noted that the 20mph speed limit has improved quality of life in London.
