Former Man Utd star’s daughter pleads guilty to drink-driving after holding talks with Love Island
Reality television personality Gabriella Bardsley appeared at Crewe Magistrates’ Court today, pleading guilty to drink-driving charges after being caught with nearly three-and-a-half times the legal alcohol limit.
The 23-year-old daughter of former Manchester United and Sunderland defender Phil Bardsley and Real Housewives of Cheshire star Tanya Bardsley was arrested on 11 May in Wilmslow, Cheshire.
The influencer, who currently appears alongside her family in ITVBe’s reality series The Bardsley Bunch, was found to have 122 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath when tested at a police station.
The legal limit in England and Wales stands at 35 micrograms.
Prosecutor Charlie Hayward told the court that Bardsley approached the scene of a road traffic collision and “attempted to drive through the police blockade”.
When officers approached her Audi A3, she was visibly intoxicated, “slurring her words” and “struggling” to stand on her feet, the court heard.
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The reality star refused a roadside breath test and was subsequently taken to a nearby police station for testing.
Standing in the dock wearing a black jacket and white trousers, Bardsley appeared visibly distressed as the charges were read.
Her father Phil, the former Premier League footballer, attended court to support his daughter during the proceedings.
The court appearance effectively ends any prospects of Bardsley joining this summer’s Love Island cast, despite being rumoured as a potential contestant.
Her mother Tanya had previously revealed to Closer Magazine that producers had approached Gabriella multiple times.
She said: “Gabriella’s already said no to Love Island and we do need to get her a boyfriend.
“Gabriella just lives in fairy land anyway.”
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The drink-driving conviction marks a stark contrast to the lighthearted family dynamics portrayed in their reality series.
ITV has already faced scrutiny this series after removing contestant Kyle Ashman following his arrest in connection with a machete attack, though he was later released without charge.
Magistrates adjourned the case until 14 July for sentencing, imposing an interim driving ban that prompted Bardsley to sob as she left court.
Her lawyer Gary Hughes described her as being of “hitherto good character” and requested a pre-sentence report be prepared by a female probation officer due to “matters that are sensitive to the defendant”.
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Hughes expressed hope that the report’s author would have a community order at the “forefront of their mind” when recommending a sentence.
The 23-year-old faces potential penalties including an unlimited fine and driving disqualification.
She was comforted by her father as they departed the courthouse together.