View Full Version : Richard Hammond critically injured in crash
Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond is critically ill in hospital after a crash in a jet-powered car while filming for the programme.
The 36-year-old presenter was taken by air ambulance to Leeds General Infirmary's neurological unit.
A North Yorkshire Ambulance Service spokesman said he was unconscious when they got to the scene and a hospital spokesman described him as "critical".
The Top Gear shoot was at the former RAF airfield in Elvington, Yorkshire.
Inspector Mike Thompson, of North Yorkshire Police, said: "At 5.45pm this evening we received a report via the fire service of a male person trapped in what was described as an overturned jet car which had been driven on the airfield.
"The male occupant has received serious injuries and has been airlifted to hospital at Leeds."
Former Top Gear presenter Quentin Willson said the presenter was "irreplaceable".
He said: "He is a wonderful, unique and distinctive Top Gear presenter.
"He has brought an awful lot to the programme and his indefatigable energy, the fact that he tries absolutely anything once, may have been the reason that he has overstepped the mark a bit.
"He has turned Top Gear into a gang show with Jeremy and James and the three of them have wowed audiences all over the world and he is an international personality."
Mr Willson added: "There is no pressure from the BBC or the producer to take undue risks.
"But that pressure is in your own head. You want to do an item on the programme which is mindblowing.
"You want to do a fantastic item that blows everybody away."
The presenter was born in Birmingham, educated in Yorkshire and lives near Cheltenham with his wife and children.
In addition to presenting Top Gear for the BBC, he also fronted Brainiac on Sky One until recently.
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I'm still in shock after hearing this, and seeing it on the news. Lets hope he makes a full recovery - my thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.
i am so shocked!!!! i really hope he is ok
my thoughts are with his wife and kiddies
I am in total shock.. I just sat staring at the news for ages.. I hope he makes a full recovery and my thoughts are with his family too
Was shocked to hear this when i got up this morning....hope he pulls through
Dr. Tangliss
21-09-2006, 10:44
I agree with you all, that's terrible :(
At least his condition has slightly improved overnight and they have changed his status to stable, but after crashing at the speeds that he was going he is so lucky to be alive....I really hope he makes a full recovery.
Chloe O'brien
21-09-2006, 12:16
Jeremy clarkston was reported to be visiting him this morning. Let's hope he makes a full and speedy recovery.
Yeah, he apparently turned up about 10.15 in his black merc sports car, but wouldn't comment - who can blame him. His mate has just been seriously injured!!
Did hear someone McCarthy (can't remember his first name) on Radio 1 newsbeat and they said his was a test driver on Top Gear, but earlier on they had said that he was The Stig!?! Slip of the tongue or was he the black Stig?!
It must be a good sign that he was regaining conciousness when they were putting him in the Air Ambulance though, isn't it?
Dr. Tangliss
21-09-2006, 12:51
I just read that he's improving too, which is excellent news for his family and friends. I like his nickname 'Hamster'.
Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond is stable but remains seriously ill in hospital after he crashed a jet-powered car during filming for the BBC show.
The 36-year-old was thought to be driving at about 300mph on an airfield near York when he crashed on Wednesday.
The BBC, which is likely to be closely scrutinised, and the Health and Safety Executive will investigate the crash.
Top Gear co-host Jeremy Clarkson, who was visiting the hospital, said many motorists were "rooting for" Hammond.
Clarkson was joined at the Leeds General Infirmary by the show's other presenter, James May.
He said in a statement that Hammond and his family were "the most important concerns we have".
"I would just like to say how heartened Richard will be when I tell him just how many motorists and truck drivers on my way here wound down their windows to say they were rooting for him."
Referring to Hammond by his nickname, Clarkson added: "Both James and I are looking forward to getting our 'hamster' back."
He was initially reported to have suffered serious head injuries and was taken to the neurological unit of hospital by helicopter.
Doctors confirmed that his wife was at his bedside and his family had requested that no further information be released.
Hammond was driving a jet-powered dragster similar to the Vampire - used by Colin Fallows to set the British land speed record.
It is thought Hammond was attempting to break Fallows' record of 300.3mph.
Earlier, the BBC said in a statement: "We are looking into all the factors of this accident.
"It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage until we know the full situation."
Top Gear has courted controversy in the past over its big-budget car stunts.
In 1999 a group of MPs criticised the series for being "obsessed with acceleration and speed".
Last year, lobby group Transport 2000 called for the show to be taken off the air accusing it of "glamorising speed and failing to make the connection with danger on the roads".
At the time, Hammond defended the programme, saying: "Top Gear is an entertaining show, for people that are interested in cars, that is driven by people who have been motoring journalists for many, many years."
Former firefighter Dave Ogden, who was working with Hammond at the Elvington airfield near York, said the car had done several runs when it "veered off to the right".
"One of the parachutes had deployed but it went on to the grass and spun over and over before coming to a rest about 100 yards from us."
His crew and an ambulance rushed over and had to cut Hammond free from the wreckage.
Steve Berry, one of Top Gear's former presenters, said the show had changed over the years.
In the past, he said audiences would have been happy to see the presenter interviewing the driver.
"That's not any good anymore... the audience and the TV producers want you as a presenter to be there, on the inside."
Hammond grew up in Solihull, was educated in Yorkshire and lives near Cheltenham with his wife and children.
In addition to presenting Top Gear for the BBC, he also fronted Brainiac on Sky One and had his own show on Five.
Ah I think it is nice that Clarkson still used his nickname and wasn't formal about it all.. Really really hoping he pulls through
i was shocked to read about this! glad he is now stable nstead of critical and i hpe he gets beter soon
i was shocked to read about this! glad he is now stable nstead of critical and i hpe he gets beter soon
He is still critical debs but in a stable position so they said.. i.e. he hasn't improved since yesterday
you see, as bad as his injuries are, and as a human being i feel sorry for him and his family... if you drive at 200 odd miles per hour then your taking a risk and asking for trouble, just like Steve Irwin did
sorry to hear of his misfortunes, but he can't honestly say he wasn't expecting this to happen :searchme:
pookie1968uk
21-09-2006, 16:45
i was so shocked and sad when i heard about this. i think he is such a great presenter and hope he is fully recovered soon.
Hes lucky to be a live crashing at 315 mph. You would expect them to be pronounced dead at the scene. Wasnt it his 5th attempt or something. First Steve Irwin now this.
Get well soon to him. although he may pull through, he may have brain damage so it's still not great. I hope he recovers.
Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond has suffered a "significant brain injury" after crashing a jet-powered car at speeds of up to 300mph during filming.
Doctors at Leeds General Infirmary said they were "reasonably optimistic" the 36-year-old would make a good recovery.
The BBC, which is likely to face close scrutiny, has begun an inquiry. The police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are also investigating.
Event organisers insisted that proper safety precautions were taken.
Hammond's father, Alan, was reported to be looking after the presenter's two daughters. He told the London Evening Standard newspaper he was "just hoping Richard pulls through".
"At the moment we are not sure if he is going to live or die. His children are very confused," he said.
Hammond's wife Mindy was at his bedside in the Leeds hospital and he was also visited by Top Gear co-hosts Jeremy Clarkson and James May.
Referring to Hammond by his nickname, Clarkson said in statement: "Both James and I are looking forward to getting our 'hamster' back."
The presenter had been driving a jet-powered dragster similar to the Vampire - used by Colin Fallows to set the British land speed record of 300.3mph.
Primetime Land Speed Engineering, which is jointly run by Fallows, organised the event.
A spokesman for the firm said the vehicle Hammond was driving "had been prepared and was being operated to the highest of standards".
Keith King, an inspector for the HSE, said it was a "very unusual case", adding that the executive would look at the preparation and planning of the event and contingencies for an emergency.
Meanwhile, Supt Martin Deacon of North Yorkshire police, said his officers would initially focus on the road and the vehicle.
On Thursday afternoon, the dragster was lifted on to the back of a lorry and taken away for forensic examination at an undisclosed location.
'Speed obsession'
The BBC said in a statement that it had begun an investigation into the accident and promised full co-operation with the HSE.
"We continue to be concerned about [Hammond's] condition and we are keeping in touch with his family," the statement said.
Top Gear has courted controversy in the past over its big-budget car stunts, and in 1999 a group of MPs criticised the series for being "obsessed with acceleration and speed".
Last year, lobby group Transport 2000 called for the show to be taken off the air accusing it of "glamorising speed and failing to make the connection with danger on the roads".
At the time, Hammond defended the programme, saying: "Top Gear is an entertaining show, for people that are interested in cars, that is driven by people who have been motoring journalists for many, many years."
Hammond had to be cut free from the car on Wednesday evening after eyewitnesses at the Elvington airfield near York described how he "veered off to the right" and the car's parachutes were deployed.
A website set up for well-wishers to make donations to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, which airlifted Hammond to hospital, has so far raised more than £4,000.
you see, as bad as his injuries are, and as a human being i feel sorry for him and his family... if you drive at 200 odd miles per hour then your taking a risk and asking for trouble, just like Steve Irwin did
sorry to hear of his misfortunes, but he can't honestly say he wasn't expecting this to happen :searchme: But....he wasn't originally going to do this - James May was. Yes, driving at those speeds, anything can happen, but then driving down the motorway doing 70 + can kill you. Risk assessments would have been done. How comes The Stig hasn't been killed yet or say Michael Shumacher etc?? Positive thinking - he is still alive and the docs are hopeful he is going to make a "good recovery"
I hate the way Quentin Wilson and Murray Walker start having little digs at him, when they don't know the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Jessie Wallace
21-09-2006, 19:44
you see, as bad as his injuries are, and as a human being i feel sorry for him and his family... if you drive at 200 odd miles per hour then your taking a risk and asking for trouble, just like Steve Irwin did
sorry to hear of his misfortunes, but he can't honestly say he wasn't expecting this to happen :searchme:
As much as i Love ya Bry, do you have a heart? It's not like he meant to crash it. The same with Steve, not that you can compare the two. It's just a tragic accident. It's a bit out of order to say that about someone so soon to something like this.
Hope he get's well soon, will miss him on Top Gear.
GOOD NEWS
Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond has been moved out of intensive care and is making "satisfactory progress", say doctors.
Friends and family are with the 36-year-old who suffered a "significant brain injury" when the 370mph jet-powered Vampire dragster he was driving veered off a runway and flipped over several times.
Doctors have said they were "reasonably optimistic" he would make a good recovery.
Fellow Top Gear presenters Jeremy Clarkson and James May visited him in hospital.
Clarkson described the moment he made Hammond smile. "I said: 'The reason you're here is because you're a cxxx driver'. He then smiled at me. It was an amazing moment.
The car is taken away
"Apart from a black eye, Richard didn't look like he had a mark on him. He hasn't a broken bone in his body," Clarkson told The Sun.
Police and safety experts have launched an investigation into the crash, which happened after Hammond had been driving at speeds close to 300mph as part of filming.
Organisers have denied reports that Hammond was trying to break the British land speed record.
After the accident, one paramedic claimed: "Richard kept saying: 'I've got to do a piece to camera' all the way to the hospital. I had to try to calm him down, explaining he couldn't do that."
Hammond lives just outside Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, with his wife and two daughters, Willow and Isabella.
Thats great news!! I doubt he'll be appearing on this series of Top Gear though, as its supposed to start in October - it won't be the same without him. A lot will depend on his recovery rate I should think. Lets keep our fingers crossed eh...
He is still critical debs but in a stable position so they said.. i.e. he hasn't improved since yesterday
i know that! what i was saying was im glad hes now stable! the new reoprt I read said he had improved a lot!
I'm so pleased he is slowly on the mend, all my thoughts are with him and his wife and two young daughters
The Yorkshire Air Ambulance that ensured the speedy and safe transfer of Richard Hammond to Leeds have now received £39,608.50 and £10,126.03 in gift aid, since his accident. They've set up a donation service in response to whats happened, and this is the response so far which is amazing. Its just a shame Air Ambulances are charitys and rely on donations to keep them running.
Thats a lot of money to raise. Glad hes getting better slowly.
Dr. Tangliss
22-09-2006, 16:47
I agree with you, it is good news he is on the mend. Fingers crossed that he remains that way :)
Chloe O'brien
22-09-2006, 22:34
it's great news that he is out of intensive care and on the mend. Let's hope its not too long before we have the hamster back on telly.
pookie1968uk
23-09-2006, 09:37
good to hear this morning that he had been able to get out of bed and walk to the toilet. you imagine all sorts of things could be wrong when you hear that someone has a brain injury but it sounds like he's doing really wel..
Jessie Wallace
23-09-2006, 11:03
Top Gear star Richard Hammond got to his feet and walked, just 30 hours after his high-speed crash, his co-presenter Jeremy Clarkson has said.The 36-year-old is in a stable condition at Leeds General Infirmary where friends and family have been keeping a bedside vigil following the accident at Elvington airfield, near York.
Clarkson, a Sun columnist and Hammond's co-presenter of the motoring show, said in the newspaper: "Just 30 hours after what is almost certainly the world's fastest ever car crash, Richard Hammond suddenly sat up in bed, opened his eyes and asked what had happened."
Clarkson, who told him he had been in a car accident, said that Hammond then got out of bed and walked shakily to the lavatory.
The presenter was seriously injured when the jet-powered car he had been driving at speeds up to 300mph crashed.
Police and Health and Safety Executive investigations are continuing to establish exactly what went wrong in the incident which happened during filming for the BBC2 show.
The BBC has released no further information about the events leading up to the crash.
The hospital said Hammond suffered a "significant brain injury". Earlier a spokesman added: "Doctors say Richard Hammond is making satisfactory progress."
Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond is continuing to recover in hospital, with friend Jeremy Clarkson saying the crash victim has taken his first steps.
The 36-year-old may be moved to a general medical ward in coming days, Leeds General Infirmary said.
It comes after his wife said the family had been "overwhelmed" with messages of support from around the world.
Mr Hammond suffered a "significant" brain injury when he crashed in a jet-powered car on Wednesday.
The accident is being investigated by the BBC, the police and the Health and Safety Executive.
The 36-year-old presenter's condition is said by doctors to be "stable".
A hospital spokesman said on Saturday Mr Hammond was continuing "to make good progress".
"If this continues then he will be moved from the high dependency unit to a general medical ward at some point in the next few days," he said.
'Spoken and smiled'
Mr Hammond's wife Amanda, known as Mindy, said she has had messages from around the world since his accident during filming near York.
His co-presenter Jeremy Clarkson, a Sun columnist, said in the paper the father-of-two got to his feet and walked "shakily" to the toilet during the early hours of Friday - just 30 hours after the crash.
Mrs Hammond told the Daily Mirror: "He's starting to look like Richard again. He's tough as hell and on his way back.
"He's spoken and smiled. It's early days and what has happened hasn't really sunk in for him.
"The whole family is overwhelmed by everyone's support. There have been so many flowers, cards and e-mails from around the world.
"To know that so many people love him is astounding. We want to thank everyone for their good wishes and prayers."
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What brilliant news is it! Fantastic news!
Jessie Wallace
23-09-2006, 22:31
The TV star said he was so overwhelmed with flowers he was worried he could be in for some ribbing from fellow presenters Jeremy Clarkson and James May.
Medical staff at Leeds General Infirmary said Hammond has made such good progress from his injuries that he has now been moved from a high dependency unit on to a general medical ward and is in a stable condition.
Hammond was airlifted to the hospital in the Yorkshire Air Ambulance following Wednesday's accident at Elvington airfield, near York.
The 370mph jet-powered Vampire dragster he was driving at speeds up to 300mph veered off the runway, flipped over several times and crashed on to the grass.
Mindy, who has been keeping a vigil at her husband's bedside, has thanked the public for their support as her husband continues to recover from the injuries he sustained in the high-speed dragster crash.
Mindy said: "The family and I are overwhelmed by the flowers and messages of support we have received from well wishers.
"However, Richard is now beginning to worry that Jeremy and James will start taking the mickey, so it would be great if - instead of flowers - people could make a donation to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
"The service is entirely funded by charitable donations and there's little doubt in my mind that without it Richard would not be making the excellent progress he is."
Since the accident nearly £65,000 has been raised for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance from donations from motoring enthusiasts.
Well-wishers on the internet forum pistonheads.com set up a webpage (www.justgiving.com/phrichardhammond) so that contributions could be made to the charity.
Hammond's brother Nick said the 36-year-old presenter was looking a lot better than when he first saw him earlier in the week.
He told reporters: "He's making good progress. We are very happy."
On Friday Hammond got to his feet and walked, just 30 hours after the crash, according to co-presenter Jeremy Clarkson.
Clarkson, a Sun columnist, said in the newspaper: "In the wee small hours of Thursday night, just 30 hours after what is almost certainly the world's fastest ever car crash, Richard Hammond suddenly sat up in bed, opened his eyes and asked what had happened.
"You've been in a car accident," I said. "Was I driving like a t**t?' he asked. Before getting out of bed and walking shakily to the lavatory."
Hammond had not lost his sense of humour and, according to The Sun, said to his other co-presenter James May, also visiting him in hospital: "Hello c**kface."
Police and Health and Safety Executive investigations are continuing to establish exactly what went wrong in the incident that happened during filming for the BBC2 motoring show.
The BBC has released no further information about the events leading up to the crash.
The hospital said Hammond suffered a "significant brain injury".
May, in a statement issued through his agent, said: "I've had a conversation with Hammond. Not a long one, but it was a conversation.
"I want to say this - doctors are cautiously optimistic about his recovery because doctors have to be.
"I'm not a doctor but I am his mate and I believe that deep inside the Hammond I know is perfectly intact."
Neurosurgery experts have said the fact that Hammond was able to regain some consciousness in the immediate aftermath of the crash could bolster hopes of a good recovery.
But neurosurgeon John Firth, of Nottingham, said the first 10 days could be crucial in determining the outcome.
Hammond is understood to have undertaken a number of runs before the one that ended in the crash.
May had been due to make the run but Hammond had taken over.
A BBC spokeswoman confirmed that the final part of the Best of Top Gear, which was due to be screened on October 1, had been postponed indefinitely.
Chloe O'brien
28-09-2006, 12:09
Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond has been transferred from Leeds General Infirmary by air ambulance to an undisclosed hospital.
An air ambulance was seen landing on a helipad at the Leeds hospital at around 10.40am.
The 36-year-old presenter was clearly seen laughing and smiling as he was transferred to the aircraft by stretcher.
He was taken to the hospital just over a week ago after a jet-powered Vampire dragster he was driving was involved in a high-speed crash at Elvington airfield, near York.
Medical staff at the hospital said his recovery was continuing as he recuperated on a general ward after being transferred from a high dependency unit on Friday.
His wife Mindy has been keeping a vigil at her husband's bedside and has thanked the public for their support.
Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond was discharged from Leeds General Infirmary with his consultant neurosurgeon optimistic he would make a full recovery and be "back to his old self" within six months.
The 36-year-old left the Leeds hospital by air ambulance just over a week after a high-speed crash in a jet-powered dragster near York nearly claimed his life.
Hammond looked cheerful and relaxed as he was wheeled out to the yellow Yorkshire Air Ambulance which had landed on a helipad on the hospital roof at around 10.40am.
He was then flown a short distance to Leeds Bradford Airport where a waiting plane took him to Bristol.
He was seen walking from the aircraft to a waiting ambulance which drove a few miles to a Bupa hospital in the Clifton region of the city where he is expected to start a course of rehabilitation.
The star managed to give staff waiting for him in reception a cheeky wave as he was taken inside.
The hospital boasts the only private intensive care ward in south-west England and also has a full range of facilities to help people recover from serious injuries. It is also closer to his home in Cheltenham.
Hammond sustained a "significant brain injury" when the 370mph jet-powered Vampire dragster he was driving at speeds up to 300mph veered off the runway at Elvington on September 20. The vehicle flipped over several times and crashed on the grass.
His consultant neurosurgeon Stuart Ross, who admitted he was a "great fan" of the Top Gear programme, said he was "very optimistic" Hammond would make a full recovery.
He said: "He has to rest and allow his brain to recover and that takes time. I'm sure that once that period is over he will be back to his old self." Asked when that might be, Mr Ross said "in about six months' time."
Cornishbabe
28-09-2006, 23:51
im glad hes feeling better and is out of intensive hospital
Chloe O'brien
29-09-2006, 00:26
The doctors are confident that he will be fit in about 6 months which is fantastic news.
They also think that a lot of his miraculous recovery can be attributed to his nature and the way he never lets anything get him down and how hes always so cheery and happy a lot of the time apparently.
So come on people - if you want to stay healthy, stay happy :D
Chloe O'brien
29-09-2006, 11:28
I know this is nothing really to do with richard hammonds accident, but I heard on the news this morning that Russell Watson has had to have surgery to remove a 3 inch tumour from his brain. The tumour was bengine and he should be well enough to go on tour this November. It just goes to show that it doesn't matter if your famous or not you never know what's around the corner awaiting you.
The high-speed crash that nearly killed Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond is to be shown on television, it has been reported. BBC bosses are said to be planning a special programme about the smash. Hammond - nicknamed Hamster - is set to fully recover from "significant" brain injuries sustained when the jet-powered car flipped and crashed during a stunt for Top Gear.
The Beeb will now wait until the 36-year-old is fully recovered - set to be within six months - before confirming the project.
Friends of Hamster believe he will agree to the show.
A source told The Daily Mirror: "The aim is not to be gruesome but to show all the preparations.
"Then we'll look at what went wrong and perhaps learn lessons."
Hammond's Vampire dragster overturned at nearly 300mph at Elvington airfield, near York, on September 20 and he was airlifted to hospital.
Cornishbabe
06-10-2006, 12:04
I guess it could be good. and if soemthing good comes out of it then maybe it should be shown. and its not like he dies at teh end
Chloe O'brien
08-11-2006, 22:49
Richard Hammond has been seen behind the wheel of his car, just weeks after his horrific high-speed crash. He is pictured in today's Sun sat in the driving seat of the stationary vehicle outside his Gloucestershire home.
A friend of Hammond told the paper that it is a question of time until he can drive again: "He knows he’s got to wait until he’s passed fit before he can drive."
The Top Gear presenter's recovery from September's crash has amazed doctors. At one stage he reportedly had only a 50% chance of survival from the jet car crash, in which he sustained severe head injuries.
Television presenter Richard Hammond has got behind the wheel of a car for the first time since his horrific high-speed crash.
The Top Gear front man suffered a serious brain injury in a 288mph jet car crash while trying to break the British land speed record for the BBC2 show in September.
He had to face two hours of complex mental tests before winning back his driving licence.
He told the Daily Mirror: "I will remember this day for the rest of my life. Now I feel more like me. As soon as I got back into the driving seat it felt like I was back where I belonged.
"It was wonderful to be away from everything, being able to tootle around the lanes in the foothills of the Malverns in Gloucestershire on a sunny Sunday afternoon."
The Mirror reports Hammond, nicknamed the Hamster by Top Gear colleagues James May and Jeremy Clarkson, chose his Morgan, the classic British sports car, ahead of the other motors in his garage, which included a Porsche, vintage Mustang and a Range Rover.
Hammond took things at a slower pace compared to his last high-speed outing, not venturing above 50mph.
He said he felt as confident as ever and did not have any nagging fears or doubts about getting back in the driving seat.
But doctors have advised the 36-year-old father-of-two to take things slowly, so he says his driving will be limited to local trips for the time being.
The popular presenter told the Mirror he is bracing himself for ribbing from pals May and Clarkson. He joked: "I am expecting to see a set of L-plates in the post any day."
New series starts in January, can't wait :)
Good to see him back driving, he's been so lucky.
Top Gear host Richard Hammond is to give his first TV interview since his near-fatal accident to Jonathan Ross.
The 36-year-old will appear on BBC One's Friday Night With Jonathan Ross on 22 December.
Hammond almost died when the 300mph jet-powered dragster he was driving veered off the track at Elvington airfield, near York, in September.
He was treated for a brain injury at Leeds General Infirmary and has since made a "remarkable" recovery.
Hammond's severe injury had reduced him to a "child-like state" in which he became obsessed with Lego, which he said helped him recover.
He suffered short-term memory loss, became disorientated and also endured "excruciating" pain, for which he was prescribed morphine.
Filming on the new series of Top Gear was suspended after the accident, but has since resumed.
Hammond will be back in the studio in early 2007 when the first episode is broadcast.
pookie1968uk
12-12-2006, 15:28
cant wait to see the interview. his recovery has been amazing hasnt it when you think of how bad he could have been.
Sam-Elle
05-01-2007, 19:41
TOP Gear will return to TV on January 28 — and WILL screen Richard Hammond’s crash.
BBC chiefs have been deliberating for months whether to show the 288mph dragster smash that left presenter Richard — nicknamed The Hamster — close to death.
But last night co-host Jeremy Clarkson, 46, said: “Half the world wants to see the crash so I’m sure we will show it.
“We’re looking into whether we’ve enough footage of good quality. I imagine we’ll be using it in the first show.”
Sun columnist Clarkson said Hammond, who suffered brain damage and amnesia after the September crash, was happy for the footage to be broadcast as he wanted to view it.
He said: “Richard has no idea what happened to him so he will be as keen as everyone else to see it.”
Dad-of-two Hammond, 37, has made an amazing recovery and will join Clarkson and their fellow host James May in the studio on January 24 to film footage for the show’s BBC2 return the following Sunday.
Clarkson joked that Hammond could mark his return in daredevil fashion — by PARACHUTE or arriving in a TANK. He also revealed that, despite Hammond’s crash, the next series will feature 35 stunts — including the launch of a home-made space shuttle.
Clarkson added: “We have also got footage of us being chased out of Alabama after locals thought we were homosexuals.”
pinkles14
05-01-2007, 22:02
I will have to remember the date 28th of january as i want to watch it
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