A car crash was caught live on television as a BBC crew reported from outside Ant McPartlin’s court hearing into his drink-drive collision.
As reporter Alison Freeman carries out a broadcast from Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court, a three-vehicle prang occurs behind her, causing two loud bangs.
The driver of a blue Nissan, thought to be distracted by the crowds outside the courts, slams into the back of a Peugeot, which in turn smashes into a van in front.
Ms Freeman quickly spins round before apologising to those watching for the interruption, as a car with a severely damaged bonnet continues along the road.
As reporter Alison Freeman carries out a broadcast from Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court, a three-vehicle prang occurs behind her, causing two loud bangs
The driver of a blue Nissan, thought to be distracted by the crowds outside the courts, slams into the back of a Peugeot, which in turn smashes into a van in front
She then tells viewers: ‘Sorry, but as you can tell with the media outside it has been very busy out here.’
Following his hearing, McPartlin said he is ‘ashamed and mortified’ after he pleaded guilty to drink driving following a crash which left a four-year-old girl in hospital.
The 42-year-old admitted he was more than twice the legal limit when his black Mini ploughed into two other cars in Richmond, west London last month.
The court heard that a nine-year-old boy who was in one of the cars screamed out: ‘I’m dying mummy, I’m dying’ after the smash.
The boy’s mother told police she was ‘horrified someone could have driven so dangerously’.
The I’m a Celebrity host – who earns a £130,000-a-week – pleaded guilty to a single charge of drink-driving and was fined £86,000.
Ms Freeman quickly spins round before apologising to those watching for the interruption, as a car with a severely damaged bonnet continues along the road
The I’m a Celebrity host gave a brief statement outside court, saying he was ‘truly sorry’ to those caught up in the crash
It is thought to be the highest fine ever handed out by a British court for drink driving. Footballer Yaya Toure was ordered to pay £54,000 for the same offence in 2016.
McPartlin was also banned from the road for one year and eight months – but could be back behind the wheel in 15 months if he takes a drink drivers awareness course.
Ant’s lawyer Liam Walker said:’Anthony McPartlin is sorry and is doing everything he can to ensure this never happens again.
‘He hopes that in time he can make himself better and that he might be forgiven by all of the many people he knows and he feels he has let down terribly.’
The court heard Ant’s mother, Christine Woodhall, was in the car with him at the time.
Ant was shielded by police as he made his way back past cameras following the court appearance this afternoon