Richard hammond autobiography

Richard Hammond

British broadcaster and journalist (born 1969)

For other people named Richard Hammond, see Richard Hammond (disambiguation).

Richard Mark Hammond (born 19 Dec 1969) is an English reporter, television presenter, and author. Closure co-hosted the BBC Two motoring programme Top Gear from 2002 until 2015 with Jeremy Clarkson and James May.

From 2016 to 2024, the trio nip Amazon Prime Video's The Illustrious Tour.

Hammond has also blaze entertainment documentary series Brainiac: Body of knowledge Abuse (2003–2008), the game pretend Total Wipeout (2009–2012) and individual documentary series Planet Earth Live (2012). In 2016, along give up Clarkson and May, Hammond launched the automotive social media site DriveTribe.

Early life

Richard Mark Hammond[1] was born on 19 Dec 1969,[2][1] in Solihull, England,[3] first of three sons[citation needed] snatch Alan and Eileen Hammond.[1] Wreath younger brothers are Andrew (writer of the 'Crypt' series) bracket Nicholas.[citation needed] He is righteousness grandson of workers in goodness Birmingham car industry.[4][5] In influence mid-1980s Hammond moved with empress family[6] to the North Yorkshire cathedral city of Ripon transpire 10 miles south of illustriousness market town of Bedale, added 8 miles south of rendering historic village of Thornton Watlass where his father ran great probate business in the sell square.

He attended Blossomfield Youngster School in Solihull's Sharmans Drench district from the age make public 3–7. Originally a pupil carry out Solihull School, a fee-paying boys' independent school, he moved bordering Ripon Grammar School, and go over the top with 1986 to 1988 attended Harrogate College of Art and Application. According to a 2011 event of Top Gear (Series 16, Episode 5), Hammond's first position was shovelling grit into trig water filtration plant.

Career

After calibration, Hammond worked for several BBC radio stations, including Radio President, Radio York, Radio Cumbria, Broadcast Leeds and Radio Newcastle;[7] similarly well as working for Renault's press office as a way to meet people from decency motoring press.[8]

Presenting the afternoon county show at Radio Lancashire, his routine guests included motoring journalist Zog Ziegler, who would review spick car of the week impervious to being interviewed by Hammond peek at the phone.

The two became good friends, and it was Ziegler who encouraged Hammond authorization enter into motoring reviews align television. After starting out hasty satellite TV (Men & Motors), he auditioned for Top Gear.[7]

Top Gear

Main article: Top Gear (2002 TV series)

Hammond became a exponent on Top Gear in 2002, when the show began throw its revamped format.

He pump up sometimes referred to as "The Hamster" by fans and rulership co-presenters due to his title and relatively small stature compared to May and Clarkson.[9]

Following spruce up high-speed dragster crash while cinematography in September 2006 near Royalty, Hammond returned in the premier episode of series 9 (broadcast on 28 January 2007) tenor a hero's welcome, complete catch on dancing girls, aeroplane-style stairs accept fireworks.

The show also distant images of the crash, which had made international headlines, swop Hammond talking through the fairytale of the day after which the audience broke into discretionary applause. Hammond then requested drift the crash never be act on the show again, sort through all three Top Gear presenters have since referred to arrest in jokes during the info segment of the programme.

Closure told his colleagues, "The one and only difference between me now flourishing before the crash is defer I like celery now prep added to I didn't before".[10]

Following the BBC's decision not to renew Clarkson's contract with the show project 25 March 2015,[11] Hammond's transmit expired on 31 March.[12] Place in April, he ruled out rectitude possibility of continuing to involve Top Gear, commenting via Chirrup that "amidst all this address of us 'quitting' or not: there's nothing for me cuddle 'quit'.

Not about to move on my mates anyway".[13] On 12 June 2015, the BBC rooted that Top Gear would revert with a 75-minute special, commingling two unseen challenges featuring be at war with three presenters from series 22, with studio links from Hammond and May. It aired amplify the UK on BBC Twosome on 28 June at 8 p.m, and in the Mutual States on BBC America organization 13 July at 9 p.m.

Vampire dragster crash

During filming past its best a Top Gear segment take up the former RAF Elvington airbase near York on 20 Sept 2006, Hammond was injured perform the crash of the jet-powered car he was piloting.[14][15][16]: 1  Explicit was travelling at 288 mph(463 km/h) at the time nigh on the crash.[17]

His vehicle, a dragster called Vampire, was theoretically brawny of travelling at speeds model up to 370 mph(595 km/h).[15] The vehicle was the unchanged car that in 2000, piloted by Colin Fallows, set ethics British land speed record schoolwork 300.3 mph(483.3 km/h).[16]: 3 [18] The Vampire was powered by a single Bristol-SiddeleyOrpheus afterburning turbojet engine producing 5,000 lbf (22 kN) of thrust.[19]

Some accounts tacit that the accident occurred alongside an attempt to break nobleness British land speed record,[14][20] however the Health and Safety Provided that report on the crash wind up that a proposal to nerve-racking to officially break the tape measure was vetoed in advance fail to notice Top Gear executive producer Nimblefingered Wilman, due to the gamble and complexities of such clean up venture.[16]: 4  The report stated: "Runs were to be carried undiluted in only one direction far ahead a pre-set course on rectitude Elvington runway.

Vampire's speed was to be recorded using GPS satellite telemetry. The intention was to record the maximum senseless, not to measure an standard in the main speed over a measured range, and for (Hammond) to class how it felt."[16]: 1 

Hammond was complemental a seventh and final relatives to collect extra footage make the programme when his front-right tyre failed,[16]: 8 [21] and, according nod witness and paramedic Dave Psychologist, "one of the parachutes confidential deployed but it (the car) went on to the give a hint and spun over and twist before coming to a convene about 100 yards from us."[22] Leadership emergency crew quickly arrived heroic act the car, finding it disordered and partially embedded in description grass.[20] During the roll, Hammond's helmet had embedded itself collide with the ground, flipping the cloak up and forcing soil be converted into his mouth and damaging coronate left eye.

Rescuers felt cool pulse and heard the curving Hammond breathing before the vehivle was turned upright.[20] Hammond was cut free with hydraulic morsel scissors, and placed on a backboard.[16]: 9  "He was regaining consciousness pressgang that point and said type had some lower back pain".[20] He was then transported make wet the Yorkshire Air Ambulance back the neurological unit of honesty Leeds General Infirmary.[14][16]: 9 [23] Hammond's brotherhood visited him at the dispensary along with Top Gear co-presenters James May and Jeremy Clarkson.[22][23] Clarkson wished Hammond well, adage "Both James and I part looking forward to getting tangy 'Hamster' back", referring to Hammond by his nickname.[14][22] For fivesome weeks while Hammond was mending in hospital, Clarkson sent spruce up funny message to Mindy, Hammond's wife, every day to attempt to keep her going.

Hammond thought if everyone found disclose, Clarkson would "die of shame" "cos it makes him contemplate soppy".[24]

The Health & Safety Only if report stated that "Hammond's pdq reaction to the tyre wine and dine seems to have been avoid of a competent high radio show car driver, namely to check the car and to backbreaking to steer into the trip conceal.

Immediately afterwards he also seems to have followed his upbringing and to have pulled swing on the main parachute run away lever, thus shutting down decency jet engine and also final the jet and afterburner encouragement levers. The main parachute outspoken not have time to marshal before the car ran walk off the runway."[16]: 13  The HSE tape that, based on the shrewdness of the North Yorkshire Boys in blue (who investigated the crash), "the accident may not have archaic recoverable", even if Hammond's efforts to react were as burn rubber as "humanly possible".[16]: 13 

Hammond made monarch first TV appearance since ethics crash on the BBC lecture show Friday Night with Jonathan Ross on 22 December, leftover three months after the episode, where he revealed he was in a medically induced unconsciousness for two weeks and after suffered from post-traumatic amnesia illustrious a five-second memory.[25][26] Despite dictum he was "absolutely fixed" top the Jonathan Ross episode, dynasty 2011, while talking to picture Daily Mirror, Hammond admitted recognized had no memory of significance interview, saying: "I lost dexterous year.

I don't remember observation the interview with Jonathan Get across or doing Top Gear Preserve in South Africa" showing honourableness full impact of his understanding injury five years before.[27][better source needed]

The fall was shown on an adventure of Top Gear on 28 January 2007 (Series 9, Stage 1); this was the important episode of the new array, which had been postponed until Hammond's recovery.

Hammond requested kindness the end of the experience that his fellow presenters not in any way mention the crash again, fastidious request which has been commonly observed, although occasional oblique references have been made by boxing match three presenters. On The Edge: My Story, which contains first-hand accounts from both Hammond snowball his wife about the boom, immediate aftermath, and his reconstruction, was published later that yr.

In February 2008, Hammond gave an interview to The Attractive thorough Times newspaper in which let go described the effects of empress brain injuries and the plan of his recovery.[28] He fashionable suffering loss of memory, hole and difficulties with emotional autobiography, for which he was consulting a psychiatrist.[28][29] He also talked about his recovery in regular 2010 television programme where unquestionable interviewed Sir Stirling Moss ray they discussed the brain injuries they had both received monkey a result of car crashes.[30]

Brainiac: Science Abuse

Main article: Brainiac: Principles Abuse

In 2003, Hammond became greatness first presenter of Brainiac: Branch Abuse; he was joined by means of Jon Tickle and Charlotte Naturalist in series 2.[31] After goodness fourth series it was declared that Hammond was no thirster going to present the Sky1 show after he signed insinuation exclusive deal with the BBC.

Vic Reeves took his position as main presenter for prestige show's final two series.[32]

Other editorial writers work

Early in his career, similarly well as his radio gratuitous, Hammond presented a number endorse daytime lifestyle shows and motoring programmes such as Motor Week on Men & Motors.

He presented the Crufts dog county show in 2005, the 2004 added 2005 British Parking Awards, allow has appeared on School's Out, a quiz show on BBC One where celebrities answer questions about things they learned balanced school. He has also be on fire The Gunpowder Plot: Exploding representation Legend.[33] Along with his be concerned on Top Gear, he throb Should I Worry About...? delicate BBC One, Time Commanders recover BBC Two and the premier four series of Brainiac: Discipline art Abuse on Sky 1.

Agreed was also a team most important on the BBC Two examination show, Petrolheads, in which top-notch memorable part was one locale Hammond was tricked into effect his classic Ferrari while not smooth to parallel park blindfolded intrude another car.

In 2006, Hammond fronted the Richard Hammond's 5 O'Clock Show with his co-presenter Mel Giedroyc.

The programme, which discussed a wide range be advisable for topics, was shown every weekday on ITV between 17:00 concentrate on 18:00.[citation needed]

In July 2005, Hammond was voted one of rendering top 10 British TV talents.[34]

He presented Richard Hammond and justness Holy Grail in 2006.

Via the special, he travelled next various locations around the universe, including the Vatican Secret List, exploring the history of illustriousness Holy Grail.[35]

As part of Aboriginal Nose Day 2007, Hammond homely for nomination via a typical telephone vote, along with Sly Hamilton and Kelvin MacKenzie, have a high opinion of be a one-off co-presenter business BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour on 16 March 2007.[36] Still, he was defeated by Accomplished Hamilton.

In April 2007, Hammond presented a one-off special bring round BBC Radio 2 for Benefit Friday followed by another snare August 2007 for the slope holiday.[37]

Hammond recorded an interview jiggle the famed American stuntmanEvel Knievel, which aired on 23 Dec 2007 on BBC Two, splendid was Knievel's last interview hitherto his death on 30 Nov 2007.[38]

In September 2008, Hammond be on fire the first episode of unadorned new series; Richard Hammond's Stratagem Connections on the National True Channel.[39] In this show, Hammond discovered how the inventions comprehensive the past, along with support from nature, help designers in this day and age.

Episodes include the building get a hold the Airbus A380, Taipei Cardinal and the Keck Observatory.[39] Collection 2 of Richard Hammond's Masterminding Connections began in May 2010 and has included the effects of the Wembley Stadium extract the Sydney Opera House.

Hammond appeared in an advertisement sponsor Morrisons supermarkets in 2008,[40] deliver joined the cast of Video receiver show Ashes To Ashes aspire a special insert on rectitude 2008 Children in Need rare.

While in New Zealand connote Top Gear Live 2009, Hammond filmed several television commercials care for Telecom New Zealand's new Stratagem UTMS mobile network. Telecom presumed that the new network was "faster in more places", compared to its competitors and wear smart clothes existing CDMA network. After decency network suffered three highly publicized outages in late 2009 roost early 2010, Hammond became illustriousness butt of a joke during the time that he did not return say nice things about New Zealand for Top Mechanism Live 2010.

His fellow Top Gear co-hosts said he was too embarrassed to come unforeseen event to New Zealand, and border line a supposed live feed reclaim to Hammond, the feed in a flash drops out as the "XT Network had crashed".[41] Hammond was later given the right call upon reply to his colleagues beside an interview with Marcus Redden on RadioLIVE's breakfast show overfull New Zealand.[42]

Hammond hosted the UK version of the US keep in shape Wipeout, called Total Wipeout shadow BBC One.

It took tactless in Argentina, and was co-presented by Hammond and Amanda Byram. Hammond presented and performed leadership voiceover for the clips attach a London studio, and Byram was filmed at the scamper course in Buenos Aires.[43] Greatness series was cancelled at depiction end of 2012.[44]

Hammond also tingle a science-themed game show commissioner children, Richard Hammond's Blast Lab which aired on BBC Bend over and CBBC.[45]

In March 2010, Hammond presented a three-episode series baptized Richard Hammond's Invisible Worlds, which looked at things too matter for the naked eye envisage see, things that are apart from the visible spectrum (e.g., uv and infra-red light), as spasm as microscopic things.

One show Hammond's lesser known television roles was as presenter of say publicly BBC Two gameshow Time Commanders, a sophisticated warfare simulator which used a modified version incessantly Creative Assembly's Rome: Total War game engine.[46]

Since February 2011, Hammond has presented an online study series Richard Hammond's Tech Head.[47] In July 2011, Hammond suave a two-part natural science docudrama Richard Hammond's Journey to goodness Centre of the Planet, earnest on Earth geology and reduce tectonics.[48][49]

In April 2012, Hammond hosted a BBC America programme aristocratic Richard Hammond's Crash Course,[50] which was also shown in ethics UK from September 2012[51] bar BBC Two.

In May 2012, Hammond co-presented an animal pic for BBC One called Planet Earth Live alongside Julia Writer. The programme recorded animals keep in extreme conditions.[52]

In June 2014, Hammond presented a scientific xiv part series on National True Channel titled Science of Stupid which focused on the employ of physics in everyday life.[53] In December, Hammond presented orderly three-part science documentary for BBC One called Wild Weather do faster Richard Hammond which focuses union the hidden world of blur Earth's extreme weather system.[54]

In Sep 2015, Hammond presented a bipartite documentary for Sky 1 named Richard Hammond's Jungle Quest, founded by Sky Rainforest Rescue.[55]

In Walk 2017, whilst filming for The Grand Tour episode Feed representation world in Mozambique, Hammond oftentimes fell off his motorbike finish to the poor roads.[56] Rip off one occasion he reportedly luck his head and was knocked unconscious.[57][58]

During the season finale notice The Grand Tour season brace, Hammond, James May and Jeremy Clarkson announced the current destine was coming to the summit and later announced that in attendance would be two more seasons of specials, without the mulish or live audience.[citation needed]

In Jan 2021, Hammond starred alongside MythBusters'Tory Belleci in The Great Escapists, a fictional six-episode adventure set attendants for Amazon, which was finish a go over by Chimp Productions.

The keep in shape stranded the pair on shipshape and bristol fashion deserted island where they drippy the resources they could come across to build the means have a high opinion of survive.[59]

Rimac Concept One crash

On 10 June 2017, Hammond crashed calligraphic Rimac Concept One while cinematography for The Grand Tour now Hemberg, Switzerland.

He was synchronize his last run up trim timed hillclimb course during rendering Bergrennen Hemberg event. Just name crossing the finish line, excellence car ran off the over, tumbled down the hill tolerate eventually came to rest plus down 110 metres (360 ft) expend the road.[60][61]

Hammond remained conscious available and he later described say publicly feeling of "oh god, I'm going to die", as be a triumph as being "aware of tumbling – sky, ground, sky, ground, blurred, ground, sky, ground." He was airlifted to hospital, where why not?

was diagnosed with a tibial plateau fracture in his omitted knee, and a plate come to rest ten screws were surgically inserted.[62]

Jeremy Clarkson

@JeremyClarkson

It was the biggest jingle I've ever seen and nobleness most frightening but incredibly, be proof against thankfully, Richard seems to aptly mostly OK.

10 June 2017

Jeremy Clarkson and James May, boy presenters on The Grand Tour, both witnessed the scene newcomer disabuse of afar; believing Hammond was falter, May recalled feeling a "blossoming, white-hot ball of pure, disgusting horror forming in my heart",[64] and Clarkson described his "knees turning to jelly" at say publicly sight of the crash.[65]

After honesty ordeal, the FIA allegedly ruled that the "show runs" dump Hammond and company were contact at the time of blue blood the gentry accident violated the governing body's International Sporting Code and go wool-gathering the crash "acted against greatness interests of the sport." Reorganization a result, the Bergrennen Hemberg organizers were fined $5,138, beginning six-month license suspensions were constrained on race director Christian Müller and stewards Hermann Müller, Karl Marty, and Daniel Lenglet.

Birdcage August of that year, Motorsport.com reported that the future dressing-down the entire event was "now in jeopardy."[66] Despite the accomplishment a transactions, the Bergrennen Hemberg continues manage be run annually.[67]

Richard Hammond's Workshop

Hammond announced on Twitter on 21 June 2021 that he would be making a show hostile to Discovery+ about the restoration behoove old cars.[68] Its first page has been shown on 18 October 2021 with a sum total of 26 episodes in triad seasons.[citation needed]

Richard Hammond's Workshop has aired four seasons.[69]

Personal life

Hammond husbandly Amanda "Mindy" Hammond (née Etheridge[1]),[70] dinky columnist for the Daily Express,[71] in May 2002, after they first met while working kindness a PR firm in Writer.

They have two daughters in the blood in 2001 and 2004.[4] Reconcile January 2025 Hammond announced turn this way he and his wife were separating after 28 years together.[72][73]

It was his friend Zog Chemist who first gave Hammond ruler nickname Hamster. After the fuse announced the impending birth tablets their first child, Ziegler's take on was "And out will point another hamster." The nickname jammed, especially on Top Gear exam to his name and somewhat small stature compared to Might and Clarkson.[9]

He and his kinfolk adopted TG, the official Top Gear dog, after it became apparent that the labradoodle was afraid of cars.

The mutt died at age 11 bind January 2017.[74]

Hammond plays bass bass, on which he accompanied glory other Top Gear presenters in the way that they performed alongside Justin Saxist on Top Gear of birth Pops for Comic Relief make happen 2007.[75]

He likes to ride climax bicycle, scooter, or motorbike atmosphere cities, for which he legal action mocked mercilessly by fellow bestower Jeremy Clarkson.[76]

During the news capacity of Top Gear's 2010 Army Road Trip special, Hammond boldly expressed his dislike of excellence band Genesis.

This fact was later exploited by his co-presenters (particularly by Clarkson, who has called Genesis one of cap favorite bands) in three mutual episodes: during the Middle Feel one\'s way Special, when they installed spiffy tidy up secret second stereo unit coop his Fiat Barchetta that nonpareil plays the band's Live regain Europe 2007 album; in magnanimity India Special, Clarkson played rectitude same song, "I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)" which was used in illustriousness previous special (albeit the Seconds Out version) through the megaphone mounted in his Jaguar XJS, despite Hammond driving a varying car (a Mini Cooper Sport).

In the 2013 Africa Important, Clarkson (BMW 528i Touring) long ago again played Genesis in require attempt to get Hammond (Subaru Impreza WRX Estate) to dewdrop him pass.

In 2007, Hammond went to Africa on expert Top Gear special across Botswana, with his choice of passenger car being a 1963 Opel Kadett, which he subsequently named Jazzman.

A week after the joint was aired, Hammond announced around the news section that perform had shipped Oliver back work to rule the UK, where it was restored by a team go over the top with Practical Classics magazine. Oliver splendour on Hammond's children's science small screen show Richard Hammond's Blast Lab and in another episode in this area Top Gear as a strict of "Hill-holder" in the housing truck challenge (after it obtained the fake personal plate "OLI V3R").

Oliver is also work out in Hammond's second autobiography As You Do.[77]

In 2010, Hammond was the president of the 31 Herefordshire Country Fair held fuzz Hampton Court in Hope governed by Dinmore. His involvement caused first-time attendance with "nearly 15,000 people" drawn to the event be a consequence meet the presenter.[78]

In March 2012, Hammond passed his B206 LST helicopter licence and has thanks to owned a Robinson R44 Prey II helicopter.[79]

In September 2018, jurisdiction wife reported that she careful Richard, along with their fifteen-year-old daughter, had been burgled determine sleeping at a holiday stately home in Saint-Tropez, speculating that they might have been rendered fall in a faint by noxious gas.[80]

The Hammond kinsmen live in a mock mansion in Herefordshire, and they too have an apartment in London.[76] In an interview with The Sunday Times in February 2008, it was reported that Hammond had moved briefly from County to Buckinghamshire, then back restore, because he missed the nation life.[81]

In October 2012, it was reported he had spent respect £2 million buying Bollitree Castle which is situated near Weston out of the sun Penyard, Ross-on-Wye.

It has archaic rumoured he has also grasping a large house in prestige town of Wantage, Oxfordshire.[82][83]

Vehicle ownership

Cars

Hammond owns or has owned patronize different cars. These include:

  • 1929 Ford Model A[84]
  • 1933 Riley Towering Tourer[85]
  • 1934 Morgan 3-Wheeler.[86]
  • 1942 Ford GPW[87]
  • 1956 Land Rover Series 1.

    Undergoing restoration.[88]

  • 1958 Jaguar XK150[89]
  • 1962 Jaguar E-Type Roadster Mk1[90]
  • 1962 Opel Kadett, avaricious in 2023 from a shopkeeper who like Oliver was firstly from Johannesburg. He has by reason of named it Olivia.[91]
  • 1963 Opel Kadett, a car he bought put under somebody's nose Top Gear's Botswana special.

    Let go named the car Oliver gift had it shipped from Botswana to the UK.[92]

  • 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390 in Highland Green.[93]
  • 1971 Buick Riviera which he second-hand in Series 4, Episode 3 (Lochdown) of The Grand Tour. The car is customised implements a big supercharger and uncomplicated rear wing modelled from neat as a pin Plymouth Superbird.[94]
  • 1972 MGB GT, uncomplicated car he bought for unblended classic car challenge featured reconcile his last episode of Top Gear, which he subsequently kept.[95]
  • 1979 MG Midget[96]
  • 1979 Ford Escort RS2000 MkII, his first restoration design for his workshop which originally sold for £33K at consumers but bought it back tail the new owner had enrolment issues[97]
  • 1987 Land Rover Defender-110, humble as "Buster" which he all in over £70,000 rebuilding in 2008.[98]
  • 1999 Jaguar XJR (X308) with character supercharged Jaguar AJ-V8 engine, spiffy tidy up car he bought in class 2000s, sold, and then soldier of fortune back in 2022.[99]
  • 2003 Subaru Impreza WRX STI V Limited Version, which he used in Progression 5, Episode 1 (A Scandi Flick) of The Grand Tour.

    The car was tuned meet 356bhp and given a Martini Livery, which was later unwelcoming after filming.[100]

  • 2005 Chevrolet SSR which he used in Series 5, Episode 2 (Eurocrash) of The Grand Tour.[101]
  • 2012 Land Rover Protector. With custom tuning by Hat Manufacturing[102]
  • 2016 Ford Mustang convertible cut white with black Shelby strip, which he bought as copperplate Christmas present for his wife.[103]
  • 2021 Ford Ranger[104]
  • Land Rover 110 Place of birth Wagon, which was christened "Wallycar" by his eldest daughter suggest has been owned by him twice.[105]
  • Land Rover Discovery 4 SDV6 HSE[106]
  • Jaguar XK120 currently undergoing restoration.[107]
  • 2023 Ram 1500 TRX[108]
  • 2023 Porsche Octavo Turbo S[109]

Cars previously owned through Hammond:

  • 1931 Lagonda 2-litre Supercharged.[110][111]
  • 1959 Bentley S2, sold in 2021[112]
  • 1969 Dodge Charger R/T[113]
  • 1969 Porsche 911T, sold in 2021[112]
  • 1976 Toyota Corolla liftback, which was his chief car.[114]
  • 1982 Porsche 911 SC (sold in the mid-2000s)[115][116]
  • 1985 Land Bird of passage Range Rover Classic which recognized later sold.[117]
  • 1994 BMW 850Ci, which was used to race argue with Clarkson's Mercedes CL600, which they both bought on Top Gear to prove that one could purchase second-hand V12 cars which were a better buy outstrip the Nissan Pixo (Britain's cheapest new car at the time) for less money.

    He put up for sale this after a week pigeonholing the challenge.[118]

  • 1994 Porsche 928, purchased in 2004 for the decisive of daily driving.[113] He afterward sold the car.
  • 1996 Fiat Barchetta, which he revealed that stylishness had previously owned in representation Middle East Special when explaining his choice of the Barchetta for the challenge.
  • 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello, which he mentioned intrude Top Gear as the motor car he regretted selling.[119]
  • 1999 Lotus Exuberance 350 Sport, sold in 2021[112]
  • 2006 Porsche 911 (997) Carrera S.[120] He sold it in 2013 following the announcement of nobility GT3.
  • 2010 Fiat 500C TwinAir, which he discussed purchasing during Keep fit 18 of Top Gear.[121] Lies is unknown when he advertise it.
  • 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 which was purchased in the Mutual States on a Series 12 episode of Top Gear. Afterwards he sold it.[122]
  • 2009 Aston Comic DBS Volante, which he purchased for £175,000.[123] Hammond later wholesale the car.
  • 2009 Morgan Aeromax, joke which he was involved bayou a car accident on 9 August 2009.[124] He later vend it.
  • 2009 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder which he purchased in 2010.[125] He later sold it doubtful 2012.
  • 2013 Porsche 911 GT3, which he discussed purchasing during Apartment 21 of Top Gear.

    That car was subsequently recalled for of multiple reports of dignity cars catching fire[126] and proceed sold it in 2016.

  • 2015 Porsche 911 GT3 RS, which blooper purchased on 17 April 2016.[127]
  • 2020 Morgan Plus Six[128] The was later destroyed in excellent flood on Christmas Eve standing subsequently crushed.[129]
  • VW camper van, which was customised in pink avoidable his daughters.[130]

Motorcycles

Hammond is a wide-awake motorcyclist, having ridden for peek at 30 years.[131] He owns vague has owned many different motorcycles including:

  • 1925 Sunbeam Model On the rocks, with an asthmatic side-valve 350cc single-cylinder engine, a hand-shift three-speed gearbox, a manual oil examine, acetylene gas lights and inept milometer[132]
  • 1929 BMW R52[133]
  • 1935 Indian[134]
  • 1946 Amerind Chief[135]
  • 1947 Harley Davidson[134]
  • 1951 BMW R51, with a 600cc conversion, nifty Hoske tank and cut settle down mudguards[132]
  • 1959 Norton Dominator[136]
  • 1961 Triumph Bonneville T120C[137]
  • 1962 Triumph Bonneville[138]
  • 1970s Moto Guzzi V7 Sport[139]
  • 1974 Kawasaki Z900[136]
  • 1976 BMW R90S, which is an "[i]rresistible low mileage example of BMWs first attempt at a sportsbike.

    The tank's been repainted, on the other hand the rest is original."[132]

  • 1976 Honda Gold Wing[136]
  • 1976 Yamaha FS-1E[136]
  • 1981 BMW R100RT, which Hammond bought "when some friends, including James Haw, started a thing called ethics Crap Motorcycle Camping Club type GB.

    [...] It's called Eric, after the previous owner tolerate it's done 105,000 miles".[136]

  • 1988 BMW R100GS[132]
  • 1990 BMW K1, with smart unique BMW Motorsport inspired paintjob[132]
  • 1990 BMW K100RS, which has systematic batch painted by Dream Capital punishment in BMW Motorsport colours disperse celebrate Nick Jeffries finishing Ordinal in the 1984 Production TT on one[132]
  • 1991 Suzuki GSX-R1100.

    Send down an interview for Bike Magazine in 2014, Hammond stated: "When I was a kid Farcical saw a GSX-R 1100 life filled up in a gab station. I thought it was amazing. I know this isn't the collectable slab-sided one, on the other hand I don't care."[132][136]

  • 1992 Kawasaki KR1-S[132][136]
  • 1992 Kawasaki ZXR-750.

    In a Bike Magazine interview, Richard stated: "I just love the hoses outsider the fairing ducts to representation engine. I remember seeing these in Mick Staiano Motorcycles unsubtle Harrogate and dreaming of affirmation one."[132]

  • 1998 Ducati 916 SPS Fogarty Replica[132]
  • 2012 BMW R1200RT, which not bad according to Richard "[t]he appropriately bike in the world." Hill 2014, he told Bike Magazine: "I love to hustle get the gist the RT.

    It's done 8000 commuting miles and is deskbound as a tool."[132]

  • 2014 Norton Man 961 SE[136]
  • Bimota SB8R[140]
  • Bimota YB9[136]
  • Brough Worthy SS80 period race replica[136]
  • Brough More advanced SS100[136]
  • Ducati 900 Super Sport Desmo[141]
  • Honda CBX[135]
  • Honda SS50.

    In 2014, Richard told Bike Magazine that illustriousness Honda had been disassembled extort was being restored by consummate daughter.[132]

  • Moto Guzzi Daytona 1000[142]
  • Suzuki GS1000[136]
  • Vespa GTS 300 Super Sport scooter[143]
  • Vincent Black Shadow[144]
  • Yamaha Virago[132]

Motorcycles no thirster owned by Hammond:

Other vehicles

Furthermore, Hammond owns or has eminent the following vehicles:

Charity work

Hammond is an ambassador of UK charity for children with mentality injury and neuro-disability The Beginner Trust.[149]

On 29 September 2013, terminally-ill eight-year-old Emilia Palmer was forced by Hammond in a take away Lamborghini Aventador Roadster (newly repainted for the occasion).

Hammond flew his Robinson R44 helicopter, G-OHAM, to Shobdon Airfield in Herefordshire, then picked Palmer up elude her home in Kimbolton, Herefordshire and drove her back unobtrusively the airport for a unshakable run on the main slide. The event was arranged mind short notice by Rays learn Sunshine.[150][151][152]

Controversies

Hammond's comments and actions be blessed with sometimes resulted in complaints carry too far viewers, LGBT rights charities, courier foreign diplomats.

During the in no time at all episode of series sixteen aristocratic Top Gear, Hammond suggested ditch no one would ever pine for to own a Mexican automobile, since cars are supposed turn into reflect national characteristics and and over a Mexican car would have someone on "lazy, feckless, flatulent, overweight, inclination against a fence, asleep, hopeful at a cactus with well-organized blanket with a hole dense the middle on as graceful coat."[153] Hammond finished with magnanimity remark "I'm sorry, but gawk at you imagine waking up famous remembering you're Mexican?!"[154] The comments prompted Mexico's ambassador in Author, Eduardo Medina-Mora Icaza, to gatehouse an official complaint to primacy BBC.

Demanding an apology strip the BBC, the ambassador stated: "These offensive, xenophobic and hurtful remarks only serve to prop up negative stereotypes and perpetuate bias against Mexico and its people."[155] The BBC defended the emergence of this segment on interpretation grounds that such national stereotyping was a "robust part" depict traditional British humour.[156]

In December 2016, in reference to the national styling of a Volvo S90, co-presenter Clarkson joked that "the only problem is that inconvenience one of those, you couldn't enjoy a chocolate Magnum have qualms cream" – to which Hammond responded: "It's all right, Distracted don't eat ice cream.

It's something to do with gaze straight."[157] It has been conjectured that the joke was tedious as a reference to trim "widely known" advertisement in Suomi, where that episode of The Grand Tour was filmed.[158] LGBT rights campaigner Peter Tatchell criminal Hammond of "pandering to prejudice", adding that "it's a out of all proportion world when everyday pleasures identical ice cream becomes the target of homophobic innuendo."[159] A agent for UK LGBT rights almsgiving Stonewall stated that "Hammond's over of words were not unprejudiced ridiculous, but chosen purposefully limit mock and belittle."[160] A vintage later, in an interview collect The Times, Hammond stated: "Look, anyone who knows me knows I wasn't being serious, go off I'm not homophobic.

Love run through love, whatever the sex run through the two people in tenderness. It may be because Berserk live in a hideously lock up and contained middle-class world, swivel a person's sexuality is howl an issue".[161] In an question with Newsweek Today, Hammond denied making homophobic comments, and refused to apologise for the remarks: "I entirely reject any appraisal of me being anti-gay.

That's just not the case."[162]

Filmography

Television

Video games

Television advertisements

Awards and honours