James Bond star speaks out after being hauled to court for speeding

James Bond star Colin Salmon has spoken out after he broke down in court as he pleaded guilty to driving 24mph in a 20mph zone. The actor, who currently stars in the BBC's EastEnders as George Knight, wept as he opened up about caring for his daughter, Sasha and seriously ill artist wife Fiona Hawthorne, as he shared the importance of keeping his driving license. Despite the multiple driving offences, the Magistrates spared the 64-year-old a driving ban for speeding near his £1.2million London home.

The Lavender Hill Magistrates ruled that Colin, born in Bethnal Green in east London, needed to continue driving them to medical appointments and honour his charitable commitments. The father-of-four, who appeared in three James Bond movies as MI6 Deputy Chief of Staff Charles Robinson, pleaded guilty to driving his Suzuki Wagon in excess of the 20mph limit in Acton, on March 31.

Salmon already had nine points for speeding in April 2023, for jumping a red light in February this year, and driving without due care and attention in April.

As a result, Colin has been 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.

According to the MailOnline, Bench chairman Mark Stollery told the actor: "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."

He ruled that Colin and his family would suffer "exceptional hardship" if he were disqualified, as 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."

Following the ruling, the actor took to social media, where he shared a post about accountability. He penned: "I hold my hands up, take full responsibility & apologise. I actually feel the 20mph limit has improved the quality of life in London. 9 points in 7 weeks within half a mile of my front door.

Colin added: "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."

During a previous appearance on Good Morning Britain, the EastEnders star opened up about his wife's serious condition and detailed her diagnosis with interstitial lung disease which left her dependent on an oxygen tank.

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

He told the 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.

"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. 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."