Love Island stars banned from all UK racecourses
Two reality TV stars and two footballers have been banned for life from all UK racecourses after incidents at the Cheltenham Festival.
Love Island celebrities Jessica Hayes and Katie Salmon (pictured) were photographed during this year’s festival (March 15-18) flashing their breasts.
The pair were in a hospitality box drinking champagne and smoking cigarettes when the incident took place.
They have now been banned from all horseracing in the UK.
Footballers Samir Carruthers and James Collins were also given a lifetime ban after they were pictured appearing to urinate on a hospitality balcony.
“The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is responsible for protecting the proper conduct and good reputation of horseracing in this country,” a BHA spokesman told H&H.
“As a result of their behaviour at Cheltenham Racecourse, the BHA applied to its Disciplinary Officer to have Katie Salmon, Jessica Hayes, Samir Carruthers and James Collins excluded from all licensed premises, including all racecourses in Great Britain.
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“The disciplinary officer was satisfied on the evidence put before him that all individuals should be excluded from the sport.”
The girls can appeal for the ban to be lifted after three years. James can appeal after two years, and Samir after one.
After the decision, Miss Salmon tweeted: “Who wants to go to the races anyway”.
After the incident in March, Samir issued a public apology which was published on his club Milton Keynes Dons’ website.
“I want to apologise for my behaviour and say sorry to everyone involved,” he said.
“I acknowledge that I have let so many people down including the chairman, the manager, my fellow players, the supporters and my family. I have also let the community down and I have let Milton Keynes down.
“I would like to personally apologise to Cheltenham racecourse, who were good enough to admit me to the Festival and I do accept that I have embarrassed everyone there.”
Milton Keynes Dons Football Club chairman Pete Winkelman added: “Samir has received a warning, been fined two weeks’ wages and handed a suspension by the club.
“He has requested, and the club has agreed, that his fine will go to charitable causes. A contribution will go to a charity of Cheltenham Festival’s choice; Rickley Park School, who Samir has worked closely with in the past; the Football League’s official charity partner Prostate Cancer UK and Willen Hospice, a charity which MK Dons supporters are raising money for by walking and kayaking to the upcoming match at Fulham
“As a young man, Samir will learn from this incident and we hope, now, everyone can move on.”
James Collins, who was on loan at Northampton Town at the time of the incident, also apologised, saying: “This has only emphasised the negative stereotype of the modern footballer and for that I am truly sorry and disappointed in myself.
“It is now something that I will work hard to change.”
Love Island fame
Jessica won ITV dating show Love Island in 2015 alongside fellow contestant Max Morley.
In the final episode they both “chose love over money” and ended up splitting the £50,000 prize.
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The glamour model broke up with Max six weeks after the show finished.
Katie, who is also a glamour model, was a finalist in this year’s series, paired with Adam Maxted.
They broke off their relationship a few days after leaving the island.
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Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.