TV Kirsty’s drink drive charge on way to pick up sons
TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher has been charged with drink driving after she was stopped at 11.30am as she was on her way to pick up her children.
The 41-year-old Sky Sports star was pulled over by police on Saturday morning after she was spotted ‘driving erratically’.
Miss Gallacher, who had enjoyed a night out with friends at the Winning Post pub in Winkfield, Berkshire, the previous evening, was on her way to collect sons Oscar, ten, and Jude, seven, from her ex-husband’s home when she was stopped in Eton.
She is due to appear at Slough Magistrates’ Court on September 4.
Friends said Miss Gallacher, whose four-year marriage to former England rugby union international Paul Sampson ended in 2014, would continue to present for Sky Sports News, although Sky has yet to comment.
A source told The Sun: ‘Kirsty had enjoyed a night out and was driving to pick up the children from Paul’s house.’ On Friday night, Miss Gallacher posted a photo on Instagram of herself and friends with the caption: ‘Night with @nudbruce... @anniehoy @hal_y_ pablito winningp ost winkfield.’
After her arrest some fans com- mented on the picture saying they were dismayed at the news. Another user wrote: ‘ @gallacherkirsty Really disappointed about this news, hope it’s not true Kirsty Hun.’
Miss Gallacher has previously admitted that she struggled with the breakdown of her marriage to Mr Sampson, 40, but would like more children at some stage.
In one candid interview she said: ‘You have to get up and go to work, and you worry about how they’re doing at school while you’re trying to do live TV. But you do learn, you develop and you do get stronger. You have to learn from your mistakes.
‘I would like more children. There, I’ve said it now, but it’s true! If I’m lucky enough to have one more then I’d be thrilled, as I don’t feel like I have finished yet on the baby thing.’
Following her divorce, Miss Gallacher briefly dated another England rugby star, Danny Cipriani, before striking up a new romance in recent months.
She is considered the poster girl for Sky Sports News and will celebrate her 20th anniversary with the channel next year.
On Friday Miss Gallacher had
‘The matter is with her lawyers’
appeared on Sky Sports News at 6pm for an hour-long show to preview the start of the Premier League football season, before joining her friends for a night out.
Last night a friend of Miss Gallacher 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.’
Miss Gallacher, of Virginia Water, Surrey, has become almost as well-known for her healthy lifestyle and fitness regime as for her broadcasting career. Earlier this year she featured on the cover of Fit And Well magazine. She has said that although she is in her 40s she is in the best shape of her life.
Yesterday a spokesman for Thames Valley Police confirmed that the TV presenter had been arrested and charged.
‘Kirsty Gallacher, aged 41, was charged last night [Saturday] with one count of driving a motor vehicle when alcohol level was above the legal limit,’ a statement said. ‘She has been released on bail to appear at Slough Magistrates’ Court on September 4.’
A spokesman for Miss Gallacher said: ‘Kirsty and her family will not be making any further comment at this time.’