EastEnders star Colin Salmon has apologised after pleading guilty to a speeding offence. with the actor saying he’s “genuinely grateful” to have been spared a driving ban due to his “extraordinary circumstances”.

The star, who plays George Knight on the BBC

 

 

He was fined £666 with £130 costs and ordered to pay a £266 victim surcharge, while also receiving three more penalty points. He did, however, avoid a driving ban, partly because he cares for his wife and daughter.

On X, Salmon, who has also appeared in the James Bond and Arrow franchises, wrote that he took “full responsibility” for his actions and subsequently thanked the court for showing him “compassion”.

“I hold my hands up, take full responsibility & apologise,” he began. “I actually feel the 20mph limit has improved quality of life in London. Nine points in seven weeks within half a mile of my front door.

“[It] proves the maxim ‘you’re more likely to have an accident five 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 less eventful and healthy 2026.”

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

The couple’s daughter, Sasha, also fell ill with lymphoma, a cancer that affects the blood cells, in 2019. Salmon and Hawthorne share three more children, Rudi, Ben and Eden.

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“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,” bench chairman Mark Stollery told Salmon in his hearing (via BBC).

The magistrate added that the actor and his family would suffer “exceptional hardship” if he was banned from driving, saying: “They rely on you abnormally compared to most families and we also note your charitable work and that takes up time and travel.”

“I hold my hands up, take full responsibility & apologise,” he began. “I actually feel the 20mph limit has improved quality of life in London. Nine points in seven weeks within half a mile of my front door.

“[It] proves the maxim ‘you’re more likely to have an accident five 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 less eventful and healthy 2026.”

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

The couple’s daughter, Sasha, also fell ill with lymphoma, a cancer that affects the blood cells, in 2019. Salmon and Hawthorne share three more children, Rudi, Ben and Eden.

This content is imported from x. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

soap, was faced with a potential six-month driving ban after pleading guilty to driving in excess of the 20mph speed limit in Acton, near his Shepherd’s Bush home, on 31 March last year.

Salmon, who already had nine points on his licence for previous offences, appeared at Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court in south-west London earlier this week.