{"id":8568,"date":"2026-01-01T19:58:22","date_gmt":"2026-01-01T19:58:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=8568"},"modified":"2026-01-01T19:58:22","modified_gmt":"2026-01-01T19:58:22","slug":"eastenders-actor-grateful-to-avoid-driving-ban-for-speeding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=8568","title":{"rendered":"EastEnders actor ‘grateful’ to avoid driving ban for speeding"},"content":{"rendered":"

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EastEnders and James Bond actor Colin Salmon has said he is “genuinely grateful” for the “compassion” he was shown by a court after he avoided a driving ban for speeding.<\/p>\n

The actor plays George Knight in the BBC One soap and also appeared in three Bond films from the Pierce Brosnan era – Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough and Die Another Day.<\/p>\n

Salmon already had nine points on his licence and received three more for travelling at 24mph in a 20mph zone in London last March.<\/p>\n

That would usually trigger an automatic six-month disqualification from driving, but Salmon avoided a ban, partly because he cares for his seriously ill wife and daughter and drives them to medical appointments. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Writing on X on Thursday,<\/a> Salmon apologised and said he appreciated the understanding shown for his “extraordinary circumstances”.<\/p>\n

“I hold my hands up, take full responsibility & apologise,” he wrote. “I actually feel the 20mph limit has improved quality of life in London.<\/p>\n

“Nine points in seven weeks within half a mile of my front door. Proves the maxim ‘you’re more likely to have an accident five mins from home!’<\/p>\n

“The court weighed up our extraordinary circumstances, fined me but showed compassion for which I’m genuinely grateful.”<\/p>\n

He added: “Here’s to a less eventful and healthy 2026.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Salmon, 64, appeared at Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court in south-west London earlier this week.<\/p>\n

He pleaded guilty to driving his Suzuki Wagon in excess of the 20mph limit in Acton, near his Shepherds Bush home, on 31 March last year.<\/p>\n

The actor already had nine points for speeding in April 2023, running a red light in February 2025, and driving without due care and attention in April 2025.<\/p>\n

On Tuesday, Salmon was fined \u00a3666, with \u00a3130 costs, ordered to pay a \u00a3266 victim surcharge and received three more penalty points, but avoided a driving ban.<\/p>\n

Salmon is married to artist and illustrator Fiona Hawthorne, who previously revealed she was diagnosed with a rare lung condition, interstitial lung disease, which requires her to use an oxygen tank. She underwent a lung transplant in the US in 2024.<\/p>\n

The couple’s daughter Sasha also fell ill with lymphoma, a cancer that affects the blood cells, in 2019.<\/p>\n

They also have a high-functioning autistic son, and Salmon himself underwent hip replacement surgery last year.<\/p>\n

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.”<\/p>\n

The magistrate noted Salmon and his family would suffer “exceptional hardship” if he was disqualified, adding: “They rely on you abnormally compared to most families and we also note your charitable work and that takes up time and travel.”<\/p>\n

Salmon previously said he took the role in EastEnders in 2022 as he “can’t be far from home” because his wife is “not well”.<\/p>\n

His character in the soap, ex-boxer George Knight, is the patriarch of the Knight family and a former co-owner of the Queen Vic pub.<\/p>\n

In James Bond, Salmon played MI6 deputy chief of staff Charles Robinson, and was often featured in scenes along side Dame Judi Dench’s M.<\/p>\n

Salmon’s other screen credits include Death In Paradise, Silent Witness, Band of Gold, Judge John Deed, Bad Girls, Doctor Who, Spooks and Midsomer Murders.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

#EastEnders #actor #grateful #avoid #driving #ban #speeding<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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