Richard Hammond has opened up on the impacts his huge crash on Top Gear is continuing to have on his health - and accident that almost saw the TV presenter lose his life.
It was back in September 2006 that Hammond was left in critical condition after 288mph crash while filming a segment for the BBC motoring show, which he presented with Jeremy Clarkson and James May until 2015.
While driving a dragster vehicle called 'Vampire', the car suffered a front right tyre blow out close to 300mph.
The drag car veered off of the runway and into the grass adjacent, smashing into bits and rolling on to its roof.
Hammond had already done six successful runs in Vampire, with a seventh and final taking place to collect extra footage for Top Gear. It was during this run that the incident took place.
The 54-year-old was left with his helmet embedded in to the ground itself.
Now, with the end of The Grand Tour in sight - and the end of Hammond, May, and Clarkson on our screens for good - Hammond has looked back on his time working with the other two.
And as part of that, he recalled the moment the crash happened and the subsequent impact it has had on his health since then.
The Grand Tour trio are driving cars across Zimbabwe for the final special. (Prime Video)
Writing in The Sunday Times, Hammond said he has spoken to his family about how the injuries he sustained are still impacting him today.
Hammond said: "There was my jet car crash in 2006. A tyre burst at 300mph and I careered out of control and landed upside down in a field.
"Apparently I tried to do a piece to camera afterwards but I’ve no memory. I sustained a frontal lobe brain injury.
"It did have a knock-on effect. I’ve discussed it since with my family. I’m 54 and my memory’s getting shaky.
"The crash boosted our viewing figures — undoubtedly so. It helped humanise us beyond being car reporters."
Writing in The Sunday Times, Hammond said he has spoken to his family about how the injuries he sustained are still impacting him today.
Hammond said: "There was my jet car crash in 2006. A tyre burst at 300mph and I careered out of control and landed upside down in a field.
"Apparently I tried to do a piece to camera afterwards but I’ve no memory. I sustained a frontal lobe brain injury.
"It did have a knock-on effect. I’ve discussed it since with my family. I’m 54 and my memory’s getting shaky.
"The crash boosted our viewing figures — undoubtedly so. It helped humanise us beyond being car reporters."
Hammond has revealed his memory is getting 'shaky' (DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images)
Recalling when he was told about the crash, Clarkson wrote: "I was told about his crash as I was driving round Hammersmith roundabout, and it didn’t seem like he was too badly injured.
"They’d got him out of the car and he’d tried to do a piece to camera.
"Plucky little f***er, as always. But then one of the crew noticed his eyes weren’t really pointing in the same direction, so off to hospital he went."
This isn't the first time Hammond has spoken about how the crash has impacted his health.
In 2018, he said he had suffered from depression and difficulty processing emotions. He blames no one for the crash, saying 'nobody' could have stopped it from happening.
He went as far to praise Top Gear for the response in the immediate aftermath, with an air ambulance called as soon as it was realised he'd need one.
Hammond said: "Everything was done properly. And that's all you can ultimately do, isn't it?"
The Grand Tour: One For The Road launches on Prime Video on Friday, 13 September.
Jeremy Clarkson explains real reason TV partnership with Richard Hammond and James May has ended
The Clarkson's Farm star warned that the finale episode of The Grand Tour will be 'emotional'
They say all good things must come to an end, and apparently, that also applies to TV partnerships with your best pals.
Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May have finally called time on their illustrious 22-year alliance, but their bidding fans farewell by heading on one last adventure.
Longtime viewers have already been left close to tears after watching the trailer for their last special on The Grand Tour - which is fittingly titled 'One for the Road' - so it's safe to say the trio are going to be missed on our TV screens.
Even Clarkson, 64, has admitted their last dance is an 'emotional' one, therefore you've got no excuse not to be armed with a box of tissues when you tune into the episode which will air on Amazon Prime on 13 September.
The motor-mad presenter has now revealed the reasoning behind the decision to pull the plug on his professional relationship with his Top Gear co-stars after more than two decades together.
He gave himself, his two sidekicks and their crew a pat on the back for creating such great shows, while explaining why it was time for them all to move onto pastures new.
Speaking to The Sunday Times, the Clarkson's Farm star said: "After 36 years of talking about cars on television, I’m packing it in, because I’m too old and fat to get into the cars that I like and not interested in driving those I don’t.
"What this means of course is that my 22-year partnership with James May and Richard Hammond is now over. You can see our final road trip together on Amazon Prime very soon. It’s emotional.
"What makes the three of us happy, though, is how we ended it."
Recalling when he was told about the crash, Clarkson wrote: "I was told about his crash as I was driving round Hammersmith roundabout, and it didn’t seem like he was too badly injured.
"They’d got him out of the car and he’d tried to do a piece to camera.
"Plucky little f***er, as always. But then one of the crew noticed his eyes weren’t really pointing in the same direction, so off to hospital he went."
This isn't the first time Hammond has spoken about how the crash has impacted his health.
In 2018, he said he had suffered from depression and difficulty processing emotions. He blames no one for the crash, saying 'nobody' could have stopped it from happening.
He went as far to praise Top Gear for the response in the immediate aftermath, with an air ambulance called as soon as it was realised he'd need one.
Hammond said: "Everything was done properly. And that's all you can ultimately do, isn't it?"
The Grand Tour: One For The Road launches on Prime Video on Friday, 13 September.
Jeremy Clarkson explains real reason TV partnership with Richard Hammond and James May has ended
The Clarkson's Farm star warned that the finale episode of The Grand Tour will be 'emotional'
They say all good things must come to an end, and apparently, that also applies to TV partnerships with your best pals.
Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May have finally called time on their illustrious 22-year alliance, but their bidding fans farewell by heading on one last adventure.
Longtime viewers have already been left close to tears after watching the trailer for their last special on The Grand Tour - which is fittingly titled 'One for the Road' - so it's safe to say the trio are going to be missed on our TV screens.
Even Clarkson, 64, has admitted their last dance is an 'emotional' one, therefore you've got no excuse not to be armed with a box of tissues when you tune into the episode which will air on Amazon Prime on 13 September.
The motor-mad presenter has now revealed the reasoning behind the decision to pull the plug on his professional relationship with his Top Gear co-stars after more than two decades together.
He gave himself, his two sidekicks and their crew a pat on the back for creating such great shows, while explaining why it was time for them all to move onto pastures new.
Speaking to The Sunday Times, the Clarkson's Farm star said: "After 36 years of talking about cars on television, I’m packing it in, because I’m too old and fat to get into the cars that I like and not interested in driving those I don’t.
"What this means of course is that my 22-year partnership with James May and Richard Hammond is now over. You can see our final road trip together on Amazon Prime very soon. It’s emotional.
"What makes the three of us happy, though, is how we ended it."
Clarkson said The Grand Tour finale is an 'emotional' one (Jeff Spicer/WireImage)
Clarkson explained that the trio decided to come full circle by 'finishing up back where we began', rather than going out in a 'blizzard of outrage and tabloid headlines' as he reckons a lot of people expected them too.
Hammond shared a similar sentiment when he opened up about the trio's demise in an interview last week.
Clarkson said they had 'thought long and hard' about how they would wrap things up, but in the end 'just went to the end of the alphabet' and decided on Zimbabwe as all three of them 'absolutely love' being in Africa.
Describing the continent as their 'happy place', Clarkson went on to reveal why they decided that the country was the right place to say goodbye to one another for good.
He continued: "There was another reason why we chose Zimbabwe, though. We would drive across it from east to west, as usual, but then we could cross the border and finish up where we began all those years ago: the Makgadikgadi salt pans in Botswana.
Clarkson explained that the trio decided to come full circle by 'finishing up back where we began', rather than going out in a 'blizzard of outrage and tabloid headlines' as he reckons a lot of people expected them too.
Hammond shared a similar sentiment when he opened up about the trio's demise in an interview last week.
Clarkson said they had 'thought long and hard' about how they would wrap things up, but in the end 'just went to the end of the alphabet' and decided on Zimbabwe as all three of them 'absolutely love' being in Africa.
Describing the continent as their 'happy place', Clarkson went on to reveal why they decided that the country was the right place to say goodbye to one another for good.
He continued: "There was another reason why we chose Zimbabwe, though. We would drive across it from east to west, as usual, but then we could cross the border and finish up where we began all those years ago: the Makgadikgadi salt pans in Botswana.
The trio are having one last hurrah in Zimbabwe (Amazon Prime Video)
"Was it sad when the director called, 'That’s a wrap,' for the very last time? Yes, it was," Clarkson confessed.
"Especially as some of the crew had been with us when we were there before. People think of Top Gear and The Grand Tour as being James, Richard and me. But it isn’t. We’ve had the same crews for years.
"We’ve all grown up together. We’ve camped together. Shat our lungs out together, laughed our arses off together. "Casper, Ben, Russ, Kit, Marky Mark, Steve, Toby, Catweazle and a load more besides. These are the guys who really made those shows.
"But I can’t say it was much of a wrench when our juggernaut came to a halt because, two days later, I was with the same guys again making the farm show."
They just can't stay away from each other those three, can they?
Which is why when Clarkson was asked whether he would miss Hammond and May, he responded: "Not really."
"Was it sad when the director called, 'That’s a wrap,' for the very last time? Yes, it was," Clarkson confessed.
"Especially as some of the crew had been with us when we were there before. People think of Top Gear and The Grand Tour as being James, Richard and me. But it isn’t. We’ve had the same crews for years.
"We’ve all grown up together. We’ve camped together. Shat our lungs out together, laughed our arses off together. "Casper, Ben, Russ, Kit, Marky Mark, Steve, Toby, Catweazle and a load more besides. These are the guys who really made those shows.
"But I can’t say it was much of a wrench when our juggernaut came to a halt because, two days later, I was with the same guys again making the farm show."
They just can't stay away from each other those three, can they?
Which is why when Clarkson was asked whether he would miss Hammond and May, he responded: "Not really."
Clarkson said he will keep in touch with Hammond and May (Amazon Prime Video)
"I can see them whenever I like," he explained. "But what I will miss is the excitement of crawling into a city such as Harare or La Paz or Hanoi at three in the morning in a car with no headlamps, one gear and only three wheels.
"I never thought I could have a job that would let me do stuff like that. There wasn’t a job that allowed me to do stuff like that. We invented it. And I hope that whoever replaces us realises that while they’ll get several diseases and arrested and bashed about until they are just a walking bruise, they are the luckiest people on earth."
Despite insisting that they will keep in touch, Clarkson reckons that only one of his co-stars will visit his swanky new boozer.
But, on the other hand, May has hinted that this won't be the last we will see of them together on our TVs.
Leaving the door cracked open for a reunion in the future, he said: "I'm sure there will be something, but it won't be as big as [The Grand Tour] and I don’t need it to be. I’ve done that."Featured Image Credit: Prime Video/Photo by Jeff Spicer/WireImage
Published 09:59 7 Oct 2023 GMT+1
Richard Hammond fears health is still being affected by Top Gear crash 17 years on
Richard Hammond was in a coma for two weeks following his Top Gear crash in 2006
Richard Hammond expressed fears that his health is still being impacted following his horror Top Gear crash back in 2006.
The TV presenter, 53, was in a coma for two weeks after the accident - which saw him crash a jet-powered dragster while driving at 320mph. Luckily, he eventually recovered and returned to Top Gear in 2007.
Fellow Top Gear star Freddie Flintoff was also involved in a near-fatal crash last year, which saw him sustain horrific injuries.
It was reported that the BBC had axed the show following the crash, but a spokesperson has since denied the reports.
"I can see them whenever I like," he explained. "But what I will miss is the excitement of crawling into a city such as Harare or La Paz or Hanoi at three in the morning in a car with no headlamps, one gear and only three wheels.
"I never thought I could have a job that would let me do stuff like that. There wasn’t a job that allowed me to do stuff like that. We invented it. And I hope that whoever replaces us realises that while they’ll get several diseases and arrested and bashed about until they are just a walking bruise, they are the luckiest people on earth."
Despite insisting that they will keep in touch, Clarkson reckons that only one of his co-stars will visit his swanky new boozer.
But, on the other hand, May has hinted that this won't be the last we will see of them together on our TVs.
Leaving the door cracked open for a reunion in the future, he said: "I'm sure there will be something, but it won't be as big as [The Grand Tour] and I don’t need it to be. I’ve done that."Featured Image Credit: Prime Video/Photo by Jeff Spicer/WireImage
Published 09:59 7 Oct 2023 GMT+1
Richard Hammond fears health is still being affected by Top Gear crash 17 years on
Richard Hammond was in a coma for two weeks following his Top Gear crash in 2006
Richard Hammond expressed fears that his health is still being impacted following his horror Top Gear crash back in 2006.
The TV presenter, 53, was in a coma for two weeks after the accident - which saw him crash a jet-powered dragster while driving at 320mph. Luckily, he eventually recovered and returned to Top Gear in 2007.
Fellow Top Gear star Freddie Flintoff was also involved in a near-fatal crash last year, which saw him sustain horrific injuries.
It was reported that the BBC had axed the show following the crash, but a spokesperson has since denied the reports.
Sipa US / Alamy Stock Photo
The Grand Tour star Richard opened up about his crash on the Diary Of A CEO podcast earlier this year, revealing that the damage from the crash 'could mean there's an increased risk' of symptoms of memory loss.
Though he says his working memory is still quite strong, Richard admitted his long term memory is 'not brilliant'.
He told Steven Bartlett: "I have to consciously write memories down and work hard to recall them sometimes.
"It might be because I'm 53, it might be because I'm working a lot and I'm tired, it might be the onset of something else."
He added that he is 'quite forgetful' in general, 'so I do drop the ball - I forget stuff, I forget keys'.
The Grand Tour star Richard opened up about his crash on the Diary Of A CEO podcast earlier this year, revealing that the damage from the crash 'could mean there's an increased risk' of symptoms of memory loss.
Though he says his working memory is still quite strong, Richard admitted his long term memory is 'not brilliant'.
He told Steven Bartlett: "I have to consciously write memories down and work hard to recall them sometimes.
"It might be because I'm 53, it might be because I'm working a lot and I'm tired, it might be the onset of something else."
He added that he is 'quite forgetful' in general, 'so I do drop the ball - I forget stuff, I forget keys'.
BBC
Richard presumes that a large part of that is just down to him as a person.
"That's just me, that's not a function of something going wrong. It's how I am."
That being said, he did suggest he 'probably needs an MRI scan'.
Richard has previously spoken about how close he came to death after the car crash, revealing that he suspects his wife is the reason he got out of his coma.
Richard presumes that a large part of that is just down to him as a person.
"That's just me, that's not a function of something going wrong. It's how I am."
That being said, he did suggest he 'probably needs an MRI scan'.
Richard has previously spoken about how close he came to death after the car crash, revealing that he suspects his wife is the reason he got out of his coma.
What Next?
"In hospital, intensive care, things were apparently not looking very good, but I didn't know. There was a lot of morphine floating around my system", he told YouTube channel What Next.
"I finally woke and I shared with my wife Mindy a dream I'd been having. A really, really vivid one - probably, partly, on a count of the morphine.
"And in my mind I'd been walking these hills here in the Lake District, overlooking Buttermere. I was having a lovely time strolling along and gradually I got a growing sense of — you know when you know you're in trouble? That feeling grew and grew."
When Richard walked toward one particular tree, the feeling of danger got more intense. Eventually, though, he turned back and suddenly he was awake.
After he told his wife Mindy about his dream, she told him what had been happening at the same time in the hospital room.
"She had been called into intensive care and told 'Mrs Hammond, I'm really sorry. Things aren't looking good... we're going to lose him'."
When told there was nothing she could do to help, Mindy asked if she could try shouting at him.
"And she did. And apparently she roared and screamed and swore at me 'don't you dare die'. And that's when I turned back from this tree in my dream. And that's when I woke."Featured Image Credit: Diary of a CEO/YouTube/BBC
"In hospital, intensive care, things were apparently not looking very good, but I didn't know. There was a lot of morphine floating around my system", he told YouTube channel What Next.
"I finally woke and I shared with my wife Mindy a dream I'd been having. A really, really vivid one - probably, partly, on a count of the morphine.
"And in my mind I'd been walking these hills here in the Lake District, overlooking Buttermere. I was having a lovely time strolling along and gradually I got a growing sense of — you know when you know you're in trouble? That feeling grew and grew."
When Richard walked toward one particular tree, the feeling of danger got more intense. Eventually, though, he turned back and suddenly he was awake.
After he told his wife Mindy about his dream, she told him what had been happening at the same time in the hospital room.
"She had been called into intensive care and told 'Mrs Hammond, I'm really sorry. Things aren't looking good... we're going to lose him'."
When told there was nothing she could do to help, Mindy asked if she could try shouting at him.
"And she did. And apparently she roared and screamed and swore at me 'don't you dare die'. And that's when I turned back from this tree in my dream. And that's when I woke."Featured Image Credit: Diary of a CEO/YouTube/BBC
Updated 14:59 23 Aug 2024 GMT+1Published 12:03 23 Aug 2024 GMT+1
Richard Hammond explains why new special will be ‘the end’ of trio with Clarkson and May as trailer has fan 'wanting to cry'
Prime Video has confirmed that The Grand Tour will be coming to an end
Richard Hammond has opened up about 'the end' of The Grand Tour as he waves goodbye to his fellow 'musketeers' James May and Jeremy Clarkson.
The 54-year-old, who first joined Clarkson, 64, on Top Gear back in 2002, has lifted the lid on ending his involvement in the long-running motoring series.
Amazon has confirmed that The Grand Tour will be coming to an end, with one final adventure next month.
In the new trailer, Clarkson says to the camera "For the last time, here we go," as the trio head to o Zimbabwe in three cars they’ve always wanted to own, a Lancia Montecarlo, a Ford Capri 3-litre, and a Triumph Stag.
Prime Video called it 'an emotional ending on a strangely familiar island'.
Fans were left in tears after watching the teaser, as one person commented: "I’m actually gonna cry throughout this episode."
A second added: "And so, The 3 Wise Men have reached the end of their journey. Thanks for everything chaps."
Richard Hammond explains why new special will be ‘the end’ of trio with Clarkson and May as trailer has fan 'wanting to cry'
Prime Video has confirmed that The Grand Tour will be coming to an end
Richard Hammond has opened up about 'the end' of The Grand Tour as he waves goodbye to his fellow 'musketeers' James May and Jeremy Clarkson.
The 54-year-old, who first joined Clarkson, 64, on Top Gear back in 2002, has lifted the lid on ending his involvement in the long-running motoring series.
Amazon has confirmed that The Grand Tour will be coming to an end, with one final adventure next month.
In the new trailer, Clarkson says to the camera "For the last time, here we go," as the trio head to o Zimbabwe in three cars they’ve always wanted to own, a Lancia Montecarlo, a Ford Capri 3-litre, and a Triumph Stag.
Prime Video called it 'an emotional ending on a strangely familiar island'.
Fans were left in tears after watching the teaser, as one person commented: "I’m actually gonna cry throughout this episode."
A second added: "And so, The 3 Wise Men have reached the end of their journey. Thanks for everything chaps."
In the finale, the trio will drive cars they have always wanted to own. (Amazon Prime Video)
While a third penned: "I'll miss them for sure, but I'm grateful for the many, many laughs we've had along the way. Old Top Gear and The Grand Tour will forever be my default comfort show."
Meanwhile, Hammond has revealed the real reason why the three motor heads will be parting ways after the upcoming finale.
In an interview on Heart Radio, he was asked by co-host Zoe Hardman why the show is ending, as Hammond replied: "Because we've been doing it for 136 years. It's going to be later this year, it will be formally announced and we'll come and talk about it."
Fellow co-host Jamie Theakston, who described it as 'the end of an era', also asked Hammond if he would miss it, to which he said: "Yeah absolutely, but we wanted to end it at a time, place and in a manner of our choosing and that's what we've done."
Earlier this year, Clarkson admitted that The Grand Tour is very much staged, unlike his popular Prime series Clarkson's Farm.
“I don't have time to pretend to be someone else. You see, The Grand Tour, Richard Hammond isn't as stupid as he's made out," he said.
"I'm not as bombastic as it's made out, and James May isn't quite as boring as is made out.
"And so you're playing a caricature, you're playing a role, you know, you're there to provoke, you know, be stupid."
The Grand Tour finale will be shown on 13 September 2024 on Prime Video.Featured Image Credit: Heart/Amazon Prime Video
While a third penned: "I'll miss them for sure, but I'm grateful for the many, many laughs we've had along the way. Old Top Gear and The Grand Tour will forever be my default comfort show."
Meanwhile, Hammond has revealed the real reason why the three motor heads will be parting ways after the upcoming finale.
In an interview on Heart Radio, he was asked by co-host Zoe Hardman why the show is ending, as Hammond replied: "Because we've been doing it for 136 years. It's going to be later this year, it will be formally announced and we'll come and talk about it."
Fellow co-host Jamie Theakston, who described it as 'the end of an era', also asked Hammond if he would miss it, to which he said: "Yeah absolutely, but we wanted to end it at a time, place and in a manner of our choosing and that's what we've done."
Earlier this year, Clarkson admitted that The Grand Tour is very much staged, unlike his popular Prime series Clarkson's Farm.
“I don't have time to pretend to be someone else. You see, The Grand Tour, Richard Hammond isn't as stupid as he's made out," he said.
"I'm not as bombastic as it's made out, and James May isn't quite as boring as is made out.
"And so you're playing a caricature, you're playing a role, you know, you're there to provoke, you know, be stupid."
The Grand Tour finale will be shown on 13 September 2024 on Prime Video.Featured Image Credit: Heart/Amazon Prime Video
Published 12:41 24 Nov 2023 GMT
Richard Hammond had 'really vivid' coma dream that took him to 'happy place' after Top Gear crash
The former Top Gear presenter remembered his vivid dream
Richard Hammond recalled a 'really vivid' coma dream he had which took him to a 'happy place' after his terrible crash on Top Gear.
It's been years since Hammond was in the life-threatening crash involving a jet powered car which put him in a coma, and since then he's shared the vivid experience he had while unconscious and how his wife Mindy helped bring him back.
"In my mind I'd been walking these hills here in the Lake District,” he said.
“I was having a lovely time, strolling along, and gradually I got a growing sense of, you know when you know you're in trouble? When you’re a teenager staying out just that bit too late – you’re not definitely in massive trouble yet, but you’re in a bit of trouble.
“And that feeling grew and grew, and I walked up this slope where I am now towards this tree, this exact tree.
"And as I got closer and closer that sense of, ‘Ooo, I really am in trouble, I'm going to be shouted at, I'm going to be in a lot of trouble' grew and grew until eventually, in my dream.
Richard Hammond had 'really vivid' coma dream that took him to 'happy place' after Top Gear crash
The former Top Gear presenter remembered his vivid dream
Richard Hammond recalled a 'really vivid' coma dream he had which took him to a 'happy place' after his terrible crash on Top Gear.
It's been years since Hammond was in the life-threatening crash involving a jet powered car which put him in a coma, and since then he's shared the vivid experience he had while unconscious and how his wife Mindy helped bring him back.
"In my mind I'd been walking these hills here in the Lake District,” he said.
“I was having a lovely time, strolling along, and gradually I got a growing sense of, you know when you know you're in trouble? When you’re a teenager staying out just that bit too late – you’re not definitely in massive trouble yet, but you’re in a bit of trouble.
“And that feeling grew and grew, and I walked up this slope where I am now towards this tree, this exact tree.
"And as I got closer and closer that sense of, ‘Ooo, I really am in trouble, I'm going to be shouted at, I'm going to be in a lot of trouble' grew and grew until eventually, in my dream.
“I turned back, I didn't walk round this tree and carry on – and I woke.”
He woke up and told his wife Mindy about what he’d dreamt about.
It turned out that he really was in trouble, as she’d been shouting at him telling him not to die.
"Mindy told me her side of the story, because at the same time she had been called into the intensive care unit and told that things were not looking good,” Hammond continued.
“I was on full life support and breathing support, the lot, and they said, 'It's not looking good, we think we're going to lose him'."
When his wife asked if there was anything she could do to save him, she asked to shout at him.
"And she did," Hammond said. "And apparently she roared and screamed and swore at me, 'don't you dare die', and that's when I turned from this tree in my dream and that's when I woke."
The former Top Gear presenter told the BBC that his wife's shouting had coincided with the turning point of his dream where he didn't go past the tree.
"My brain chose to conjure up an image of my absolute favourite place in the world – my favourite activity, which is just going for a nice, simple walk,” he said, adding: “That’s all my brain wanted to create for me.”
Hammond said he chose to tell his story about the dream because ‘it’s not often you get to be really personal and share quite an intimate story’.
“I hoped it would connect with people […] Because it’s about acquired brain injury, that affects a lot of people,” he explained.
