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Strictly star charged with drink-driving

She's due in court in September

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Things are going from bad to worse for TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher.

Yesterday, we reported that the former Strictly Come Dancing star had been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving while picking her kids up in Eton, Berkshire, at around 11am on Saturday morning.

The 41-year-old Scot was pulled over by police and breathalysed after being seen driving erratically. Following her arrest, she was taken to a police station nearby.

And now, we can reveal that Kirsty has been charged with one count of “driving a motor vehicle when alcohol level was above the legal limit”.

Only hours before her arrest, Kirsty posted a picture to Instagram of her and her friends enjoying a night out at the Winning Post pub in Winkfield, Berkshire.

She captioned the picture with the words: “Night with @nudbruce…@anniehoy @hal_y_pablito _winningpostwinkfield.”

It’s believed that her children stayed with her ex-husband, former England rugby international Paul Sampson, overnight.

Kirsty – who’s due to appear at Slough Magistrates Court on 4 September – has yet to speak about the incident, with a spokesman saying: “Kirsty and her family will not be making any further comment at this time.”

Read more: Strictly star Kirsty Gallacher arrested on suspicion of drink-driving

But one of her friends told the Daily Mail: “We know for a fact that she will continue presenting Sky Sports News.

“We do not know what will happen after the court case. That would be pure speculation at this stage. The matter is now with Kirsty’s lawyers.”

Kirsty is known to be passionate about health and fitness, and earlier this year she appeared on the cover of Fit & Well magazine.

She also showed her athleticism while appearing alongside partner Brendan Cole in the 2015 series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Read more: Strictly’s Karen Clifton opens up about difficult time after Will Young quit

However, in December 2016, the presenter worried fans when it was reported that she had been rushed to hospital after collapsing backstage while presenting Sky Sports News.

It was later claimed that the host was “flabbergasted and shocked” over accusations that the collapse had been caused by alcohol consumption.


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor