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From The Sunday Times
February 24, 2008
On the Move: Richard Hammond
Born in 1969, Richard Hammond is a television presenter who is most famous for appearing on Top Gear. In September 2006 he survived a high-speed crash in a jet-powered dragster. He lives in Gloucestershire with his wife Amanda, known as Mindy, their two daughters, aged four and seven, five dogs and several horses
Sitting in a cafe in southwest London, Richard Hammond looks in rude health and largely unchanged since his near-fatal accident. That is, apart from the hair, which has grown from the short and spiky schoolboy crop to a shaggy 1970s television-cop affair.
The fan sites appear to prefer the old look – and believe me there are many (one even includes a version of the Lord’s Prayer dedicated to the Hamster, including the line “But deliver us from Clarkson”) – but the hair seems to mirror a more reflective frame of mind, following the difficult experiences of the past 18 months. When I remind him we’ve met once before, a couple of years ago, he looks bewildered. “Well, a lot’s happened since then,” he says ruefully.
For those who somehow missed the story that dominated the headlines for much of autumn 2006, Hammond sustained a serious brain injury while driving a jet-powered dragster for BBC’s Top Gear programme on a disused airfield in Yorkshire. He had reached 314mph – an unofficial British land-speed record – before the accident, which was caused by a tyre bursting and sending the car spinning out of control, turning it upside down and leaving Hammond’s head effectively to act as a brake as his helmet dug into the ground.
He was airlifted to hospital and for a couple of days it was unclear whether he would survive. There was talk of brain damage, so when Hammond did reemerge, seemingly unscathed, to host the first episode of the new series of Top Gear in January 2007 it appeared to be a turbocharged recovery. “It wasn’t quite like that,” he admits. “I went back to work too early but I thought the worst thing I could do was stay at home and continue feeling like a patient.
“It’s been a bloody long journey and it’s still going. It’s when I consider how far I’ve come since I was in hospital that I realise there was a lot more to fix than I thought. The swelling has gone down, my brain is as mended as it’s likely to be. Now it seems to be more a case of rewiring itself. That’s assuming I’m sitting here talking to you and I’m not about to wake up in hospital, in some sort of Life on Mars moment . . . Now that was a difficult TV series to watch.”
Despite the jokes, Hammond confesses to having “suffered mortally with depression” and having lost all his coping mechanisms. He still talks regularly to his psychiatrist. “I damaged all the complicated bits of the brain to do with processing and emotional control. I was prey to every single emotion that swept over me and I couldn’t deal with it. I had to relearn things from scratch,” he says. “I’ll still have a week when I’m freaking out about something and I’ll realise it’s because I’m encountering a new emotional state and I have to evolve a new strategy to cope with it.
“When I did the 24-hour race for Top Gear in September I was scared and nervous and it was making me argumentative, angry; making me think I wasn’t good enough for the job, feeling awful.”
He’s still not back to his old self. “I’m a hell of a lot more fixed than I was, but every time something happens, if I make an odd decision, say [which can happen], you realise how broken you were.
“I damaged the part of my brain to do with spatial awareness. Sometimes I have trouble parking. My memory is a lot better but the other day I forgot the Pin numbers to all my cards. All of them. Completely gone.”
Yet he still remembers the registration number of his first car: a 1976 Toyota Corolla, which he painted with Shelby racing stripes before writing it off shortly before his 18th birthday.
After his jet-car experience he bought himself a nice, sedate Ferrari 550, but is thinking of selling it as he’s got a Morgan Aeromax on the way and he’s not sure where to fit it in alongside the Porsche 997 Carrera S, the Ford Mustang, the Morgan V6 Roadster, the Opel Kadett (named Oliver in his Top Gear trek across Botswana), the Volvo 940 estate, the 1957 Series I Land Rover, the heavily “pimped” V8 Land Rover 110 and wife Mindy’s yellow Land Rover Td5 110 Station Wagon.
Mindy also has a Harley-Davidson motorbike, a present from Hammond, who is customising a Harley Street Glide. “It’s going to be almost entirely black, with massive chrome wheels,” he says gleefully. “I want it to make children cry when it’s parked, let alone when it moves. Mind you, Mindy and I will still be the world’s smallest and least intimidating motorcycle gang.”
Hammond was born in suburban Birmingham, before the family moved to Ripon, North Yorkshire, where his father ran a probate business and his mother was a charity consultant. His grandfather had worked for a coachbuilder and Hammond inherited his love of cars from him. At 18 he went to art college (he’s still not sure why) then began a career in local radio before financial hardship forced him to take a “sensible job” working in public relations. “I realised something had to change when I ended up selling my motorbike so I could afford to buy a tin of beans,” he says.
He can still remember making Lego models on the living room carpet of the cars he saw on Top Gear, and the dream of becoming the show’s presenter remained. He left PR to take up the offer of working one day a week for Men & Motors, the satellite channel once best known for soft porn. But even when, in 2001, he was called to audition for Top Gear, he never imagined his childhood dream could become reality. “Even when we were recording the first episode and Jeremy said, ‘Hello and welcome to Top Gear,’ my immediate thought was, ‘Oh great, Top Gear’s back.’ Then I suddenly realised, ‘Oh s***, I’m on it’.”
Now it’s difficult to imagine the show without him. Who else would Clarkson find to rib quite so mercilessly about his height, taste in denim jackets and alleged teeth whitening? “I never take it for granted,” says Hammond, “I’m always terrified I’ll be fired.”
In recent years he has presented everything from Crufts, the dog show, to Brainiac, a wacky science programme, and co-written a bestselling book about his crash with Mindy. He also found time in January to move Mindy, their two young daughters – Isabella, 7, and Willow, 4 – and their cars, bikes, dogs, horses and ducks to Buckinghamshire, then promptly moved them back again.
“We sold our house near Cheltenham then rented a colossal, utterly ruined old farm on the Gloucestershire-Herefordshire border, and sort of fell in love with it,” he explains. “When we got to Buckinghamshire I realised my heart wasn’t in it. I mean we had Angelina Jolie round the corner, it wasn’t all bad, but I didn’t want to come home and see Mindy immaculately dressed and the girls playing nicely in front of the TV; I liked everyone running around covered in mud. We could have adapted, but I didn’t want it.”
So they moved back, and Hammond is looking to buy a farm. “I plan to find someone to manage it for me. Then I’ll stand there in my posh farmer wellies and annoy everyone by flouncing up from London every weekend and calling my cows sheeps.”
In the flesh, he’s not so relentlessly chirpy as on TV, he’s prone to self-doubt and there is that mean Harley – so does the Hamster have a less than cuddly side? “I am a thoroughly nice chap,” he insists. “But not all the way through. I love a pub crawl and I can’t be held responsible for the consequences if I drink certain types of lager . . .”
Thank You. You and the Top Gear team were the first to show MY Africa. It can be a such a dangerous frightning wonderfull dirty awe inspiring place. When you asked that the engine be shut down on the Lancia, it wasn't just to joke that the restart wouldn' happen. You were in one of the places where sound can travel for miles, with nothing to muffel it. To experience silence on that plane seems to stop time. I don't know if you have been to Africa before for any length of time. But If this was your first experience with it's wildness and beauty I hope that you were able to bring along your family .Sharing the beauty of the sunsetts and moon rises is something to do with a lover.
Claudia, Providence,
i am glad richard came through his crash i think he has amazing frainds and family who love him and he is so brave
claire dunn, birmingham, england
Oh, come on!
I'm sick of all this sweetness.
I'm watching the show for the CARS not for presenters. Richard, you have your dream job (wife and kids too, of course) so enjoy it. We love to watch you having fun on Top Gear. And I'm glad that you managed to bring Oliver home, I also had a friend like him ;(
PS.Idea: don't (only?) paint the exhaust black, put black fabric band around it - bad boy style :)
WojtekJT, Krakow, Poland
I love you Richard! x x x x x
Carly Jones, Bethesda, Gwynedd, Wales
Have no fear, Richard; you are as much a fixture of Top Gear as Clarkson.
Imagine that.
Take it one day at a time and keep bringing your singularly insightful POV to the show. It is all the richer for it!
Emlyn, Providence, RI, USA
I think Richard is the funniest, most quirky man I have ever seen. He is very sweet and always puts others before himself. Keep up the good work and PLEASE don't leave the show!!! I have no reason to watch it otherwise!
Alice xxx, Crondall, Hampshire
Richard you are such a brave and inspirational man and you have been through so much.
We love you for being just you! xxxx
Paula, Liverpool, England
I can't believe some of the mean spirited coments on here! Thnkfully the majority are encouraging, Brain injury affects everyone differently and Richard is very brave to speak out about it at all. I am sure it is his dearest wish that he would be fully recovered. I have met him twice since the accident - he was not feeling the best the first time, but still took the time to talk to the many people gathered to meet him. Some television presenters are very arrogant -there was none of that with Richard. All the best for the future to you and your famly, Richard.
Cath, Kilkeel, Northern Ireland
NIce to see more positive comments than negative. Every brain injury is different and how it is dealt with is different - so how Mr. Hammond decides to deal with it is his and his family's business. He's in the public domain so people feel they can criticise but I haven't seen anything that he's written (including his book) that marks him out to be anything but a decent fellow. Claims that he put himself in harms way seem a little harsh; there are many jobs where that is the case.
I think you do a great job and am very jealous! Hope it doesn't all get too much but I can see you have great support, I'll buy you a pint (when you're allowed) if I see you in Cheltenham...
Gavin , Chelt, Uk
Richard, I think you can be an extremely strong inspiration to all young people who suffered a brain injury and their life has changed dramatically. I am an Occupational Therapist and I work with young people with brain injury. Soon after your accident, with had families calling our unit to ask 'should we bring in some Legos? will it help with recovery?!'
Unfortunately, the people I work with are not that lucky... but bless you for surviving such a horrrific accident and are now able to share some of your experiences. I think it would be good to be able to talk to people with brain injury about all the changes in your life. especially the negative ones and how you battled them and be an example of 'life goes on after brain injury' but maybe in a slight different perspective!
Georgia Riga, London, UK
Richard, I'm a huge fan of you and Top Gear. The show would not be the same without you. Many other people would love to have the opportunity that you do everyday and to drive such wonderful cars. Hang in there.
PS- As far as the teeth are concerned. Keep bleaching. Everyone is California does it all the time.
One on many big fans in the US
George, California, United States
Richard, you're an inspiration to so many. Ignore some of the mean-spirited comments that have been written. The way you have battled your injury - and are continuing to battle its effects - is something that has touched the hearts of many and won you new fans.
The dynamic that exists on Top Gear could not be bettered, the three of you complement one another perfectly. I love the blokey banter, the ribbing and the name-calling - it's clear how much you all genuinely like each other. The cars are often merely incidental to the plot, but who cares? For sheer entertainment value it simply can't be beaten, and your role within that format is crucial. Your boundless enthusiasm, like a labrador puppy eager to please, is a joy to behold.
Keep fighting Richard, there are so many people rooting for you and wishing you well. You're an amazing guy, and with the love and support of your gorgeous family you'll find even more inner resources that you never knew you had.
Harpercat, Norwich, UK
Hi Richard. Both my wife and I wish you all the best in your recovery. I don't know what it's like to go through all that you have been through but I do know what it's like to suffer depresssion and It's not always easy. But you can get through it all with lots of love and support from those people around you.
Take care of yourself.
Michael P, Melbourne, Australia
Richard, I hope you all the best and I am sadden to hear that you are still battling with the after effects of the crash. I am happy to hear that you are in good spirits and you are winning the battle. I have been a Top Gear fan ever since they first aired it here in the states a few years ago. I am glad that the show the new episodes on BBC America. I cannot imagine the show without you.
Ric Berry, Dayton, USA, Ohio
Richard I wish you and your family all the good health and real happiness in the world. It is so refreshing to read your honesty with regards to the depression that sometimes affects you - I hope those times get fewer and your coping strategies get you through. We all think you are still ( and even more so now) brilliant at what you do .
Best Wishes to you.
Kay Steven, Stockton on Tees,
Richard Hammond has put a gloss over his experience of brain injury which has done a disservice to the hundreds of thousands of people with brain injury in the UK. He has perpetrated the falsehood that there is such a thing as full recovery from brain injury and denied his problems in everyday life. He makes passing reference in his autobiography to being mildy irritated by the everyday noise of his own children on, I think, one occasion. Anyone who either has a tbi or is in close proximity to someone who has, knows that extraneous noise is a terrible thing to have to deal with on a daily basis. And no, that's not a terrible, extraordinary clattering, it's what you take for granted in everyday life as background noise. In fact, you probably don't even 'hear' it. To us, it's a cacophany. And the noise of children, particularly girls (it's the pitch/frequency), can be excruciatingly painful. The list of his/our problems are manifold but I've now run out of characters!
Jane, London,
If we all thought like that Phil, we'd never leave the house. Nothing would ever be discovered. Everest would never have been conquered and Space never reached.
Furthermore there is no aspect of the story that asks for your sympathy.
How to take an uplifting story of human resilience and make it a miserable warning on the dangers of being human. You can't even spell.
Ignore him Hamster, we salute you. Great article.
J.Wilkes, Gloucester,
I lost a front wheel at high speed - miraculously I didn't crash. I still suffer with depression/anxiety particularly when driving, especially as I have excellent spatial awareness but no depth perception. It must be far worse for poor Hamster! People don't realise that the intial aftermath is not the worst - it's 2/3/4 years down the line when your loved ones are still enduring moodiness, walking on eggshells and wanting their 'real' person back. Richard's wife, family and friends (inc Clarkson & May) all deserve unconditional praise for their unstinting support, encourangement as we're not easy to live with - the frustration of being unable to remember simple things; you snap hurtfully at your partner or best friend without any justification then feel sick with self-anger when you see them flinch and visibly swallow back a retort because they are 'making allowances'. You get better, but it takes time, and you have plateaus where you see no progress, but eventually things do improve.
Ysabel, Derby, England
i think richard has been through a hell of a lot my dad had a car acciedent he is still him self but he forgets quite a bit abotu everyting like taking the rubbish so just give the hamster some time from chloe in gloucester
chloe gibson , innsworth, gloucestershire
Ignore the mean spirited finger wagging cynics who can't resist a dig - all the best to a guy that seems to be a pretty nice family chap with edge - he's very entertaining and is pushing on despite his disability. Good luck and best wishes.
su, Manchester, England
Kv of London, just how bitter can you be? Top Gear is an entertainment programme, it is not about egos. Richard is a fine presenter who was involved in an unfortunate accident at work. He cannot be blamed if the media labled him as heroic, just as they give such meaningless titles to footballers who are "legendary". I suffered a motorcyle accident three moths ago and have suffered the same mood swings and problems with memory and if it had not been for the Hamster making this problem public I would not have sought further help.
David Jones, Birmingham, UK
I can cerainly empathise with Richard as I suffered a serious brain injury 18 months ago ans suffered with all the symptoms he talks of. Similar situation about going back to work too soon though. Can now attend football and share a lager (or two) in the local with good friends - Iam grateful for all the support Iam able to call on including Cognitive Behavioural therapist - his story is good reading about this hidden disability
Trevor Garner, Nottingham, UK
Richard is a prime example of why brain injury is often referred to as the hidden disability. To all the world, Richard appeared to have fully recovered from his horrific accident and yet he was, and is, still battling with everyday life.
Brain injury can have devastating effects, which can often last a lifetime. Richard is not alone in trying to overcome these difficulties. Everyday, Headway - the brain injury association works with thousands of people to help improve life after brain injury.
Further information can be found at www.headway.org.uk or via our free helpline on 0808 800 2244. We wish Richard and his family our very best wishes for his continuing recovery.
Luke Griggs, London,
Richard you are one of my favourite television presenters and indeed, Top Gear just can't be without you. I remember how delighted we were when we heard you've recovered from that severe accident.
We all love you and best wishes to your family.
A Top Gear fan in China.
Johnny, Beijing, China
Brilliant article discussing everything about the Hamster. I read the entire thing and I agree that Richard is a wonderful man who is loved by so many. We are lucky, and thankful to have him.
(PS: Wahoo! Hammond Heaven's Lord's Prayer's been recognised!)
Charlotte, Surrey, England
Richard, you and your Top Gear pals have what is required for good television programmes, humour, televisual presence and enjoyment of what you do.
Keep smiling, you are a very lucky man, and you have a lovely wife and two very beautiful little girls. I'll bet they think you're the best Daddy in the world, it shows through in the photograph.
Phil de Buquet, Newport, England
I was lucky to see Richard with Clarkson with their MPH show in Johannesburg recently. On behalf of all his fans in South Africa, I'd like to congratulate the man on his recovery, his fortitude, his humour and bravery. He's very lucky man - I'm sure he'll use the second chance well
Stuart, JHB, South Africa
hi hammy i love you on the show you are always smileling and i hope you continue to keep that smile and the show going lorraine algeirs(north africa)
lorraine, algeirs, algeiria
You are an excellent guy and a great character. Long may you be on Top Gear.
Gavin, Cambridge, England
Richard is such a courageous man and an inspiration to so many people who have suffered similar brain injuries. It's truely remarkeable that he has recovered so well, and although it has obviously been a very difficult, dark journey both for him and his family it is wonderful to see just how far he has come. I read his book and was moved to tears with his and Mindy's honest and open account of his accident and recovery process, and this article has done the same. Richard you are an amazing person and I do so admire the way you live life to the full and with so much enthusiasm, and the love you have for your gorgeous family is a joy to behold. Thank you for being you and I wish you all the very best for the future.
Maria, Egham, UK
Richard I think your fantastic, your a lucky plucky chap, who shines like the brightest star out in the universe.
Keep doing what your doing.
We love you for it
Lorraine, Stockport, England