Richard Hammond facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richard Hammond
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Hammond at the Canadian International AutoShow in February 2024
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| Born |
Richard Mark Hammond
19 December 1969 Solihull, Warwickshire, England
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| Alma mater | Harrogate College of Art and Technology |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1998–present |
| Known for |
Various
Brainiac: Science Abuse (2003–08) Crufts Should I Worry About...? (2004–05) The Gunpowder Plot: Exploding the Legend (2005) Richard Hammond's 5 O'Clock Show (2006) Top Gear (2002–15) Petrolheads (2006) Richard Hammond Meets Evel Knievel (2007) The Great Escapists (2021) Total Wipeout (2009–12) Richard Hammond's Blast Lab (2009–11) Richard Hammond's Engineering Connections (2008–11) Richard Hammond's Invisible Worlds (2010) Richard Hammond's Crash Course (2012) Richard Hammond Builds a Planet (2013) Science of Stupid (2014–15) The Grand Tour (2016–24) Richard Hammond's Workshop (2021–) |
| Spouse(s) |
Amanda Etheridge
(m. 2002; separated 2025) |
| Children | 2 |
Richard Mark Hammond (born 19 December 1969) is a famous English TV presenter, journalist, and author. He is best known for co-hosting the car show Top Gear on BBC Two from 2002 to 2015. He worked alongside Jeremy Clarkson and James May. After Top Gear, the three friends moved to Amazon Prime Video to present The Grand Tour from 2016 to 2024.
Richard Hammond has also hosted other popular shows. These include the science show Brainiac: Science Abuse (2003–2008), the fun game show Total Wipeout (2009–2012), and the nature documentary Planet Earth Live (2012). In 2016, he helped launch a car social media website called DriveTribe with Clarkson and May.
Contents
Growing Up: Richard's Early Life
Richard Mark Hammond was born in Solihull, England, on 19 December 1969. He was the oldest of three boys. His family moved to Ripon in North Yorkshire in the mid-1980s. His father ran a business there.
Richard went to Blossomfield Infant School when he was young. He later attended Ripon Grammar School and Harrogate College of Art and Technology. His first job was shoveling grit at a water plant.
Starting His Career in TV
After college, Richard worked for several BBC radio stations. He worked at places like BBC Radio York and BBC Radio Newcastle. He also worked for Renault's press office to meet people who wrote about cars.
While presenting a show at BBC Radio Lancashire, he often interviewed motoring journalist Zog Ziegler. They became good friends. Zog encouraged Richard to try reviewing cars on television. Richard started on satellite TV before auditioning for Top Gear.
Driving into Top Gear
Richard Hammond became a presenter on Top Gear in 2002 when the show got a new look. Fans and his co-presenters sometimes call him "The Hamster." This is because of his name and how he is smaller than James May and Jeremy Clarkson.
After a serious crash in 2006, Richard returned to Top Gear in January 2007. He received a huge welcome from the audience. The show even included clips of the crash, which had been in the news worldwide. Richard talked about what happened that day. He later asked that the crash not be mentioned again on the show. However, his co-presenters still make jokes about it sometimes.
In March 2015, Jeremy Clarkson's contract with the BBC ended. Richard Hammond's contract also ended soon after. He said he would not continue Top Gear without his friends. The BBC later aired a special episode with all three presenters.
The Vampire Dragster Crash
On 20 September 2006, Richard Hammond was filming for Top Gear at a former airbase near York. He was driving a jet-powered car called Vampire. The car was going very fast, about 288 mph (463 km/h), when a front tire failed.
The car went off the runway and rolled over many times. Emergency crews quickly reached the car. Richard was unconscious but breathing. They carefully freed him from the car. He was then taken to the hospital by helicopter. His family and co-presenters, James May and Jeremy Clarkson, visited him. Jeremy Clarkson joked that they wanted their "Hamster" back.
Richard was in a special coma for two weeks to help him heal. He also had trouble remembering things for a while. He later wrote a book called On The Edge: My Story about the crash and his recovery. He talked about how his brain injury affected his memory and feelings.
Other TV Adventures
Richard Hammond has presented many other TV shows. Early in his career, he hosted lifestyle and car shows. He also presented the Crufts dog show in 2005.
In 2006, he hosted Richard Hammond's 5 O'Clock Show on ITV. He also explored the history of the Holy Grail in a special called Richard Hammond and the Holy Grail.
In 2008, he started presenting Richard Hammond's Engineering Connections on the National Geographic Channel. In this show, he looked at how old inventions and nature help modern designers. He explored things like the Airbus A380 and the Taipei 101 skyscraper.
From 2009 to 2012, Richard hosted the UK version of Wipeout, called Total Wipeout, for BBC One. He also hosted Richard Hammond's Blast Lab, a science game show for children.
In 2010, he presented Richard Hammond's Invisible Worlds. This series looked at things too fast or too small for us to see normally. He also hosted Richard Hammond's Crash Course in 2012.
In 2014, Richard presented Science of Stupid on National Geographic Channel. This show explained the physics behind funny fails. He also explored extreme weather in Wild Weather with Richard Hammond.
In 2021, Richard starred in The Great Escapists with Tory Belleci from MythBusters. They played characters stranded on a deserted island, using science to survive. He also started his own show, Richard Hammond's Workshop, which is about restoring old cars.
The Rimac Concept One Crash
On 10 June 2017, Richard Hammond crashed a very fast electric car, a Rimac Concept One, while filming for The Grand Tour in Switzerland. He was driving up a hillclimb course when the car went off the road. It tumbled down a hill and landed upside down.
Richard was conscious and airlifted to the hospital. He broke his left knee and needed surgery. His co-presenters, Jeremy Clarkson and James May, saw the crash. They were very worried and thought he might be seriously hurt.
Richard Hammond's show, Richard Hammond's Workshop, has aired four seasons. It focuses on restoring classic cars.
Richard's Personal Life
Richard Hammond married Amanda "Mindy" Hammond in May 2002. She is a writer for the Daily Express. They have two daughters, born in 2001 and 2004.
His friend Zog Ziegler gave him the nickname "Hamster." When Richard and Mindy announced their first child, Zog said, "And out will pop another hamster." The name stuck, especially on Top Gear.
The Hammond family adopted TG, the official Top Gear dog. TG was a labradoodle who was afraid of cars. The dog passed away in 2017.
Richard enjoys playing the bass guitar. He also likes to ride his bicycle, scooter, or motorbike in cities. His co-presenter, Jeremy Clarkson, often teases him about this.
In 2007, Richard went to Africa for a Top Gear special. He bought a 1963 Opel Kadett car, which he named Oliver. He loved Oliver so much that he shipped it back to the UK. Oliver was restored and has appeared on Richard's children's science show, Richard Hammond's Blast Lab.
In March 2012, Richard earned his helicopter pilot's license. He owns a Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter.
Where Richard Lives
The Hammond family lives in a mock castle in Herefordshire, England. They also have an apartment in London. In 2012, it was reported that he bought Bollitree Castle near Weston under Penyard.
Richard's Car Collection
Richard Hammond is known for loving cars and motorcycles. He owns or has owned many different vehicles.
Cars He Owns (or Has Owned)
- A 1929 Ford Model A
- A 1963 Opel Kadett, named Oliver, from the Top Gear Botswana special.
- A 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390.
- A 1972 MGB GT, which he kept after a Top Gear challenge.
- A 1979 Ford Escort RS2000 MkII, his first restoration project for his workshop.
- A 2016 Ford Mustang convertible, a Christmas gift for his wife.
- A 2023 Porsche 911 Turbo S.
- He once owned a 1994 BMW 850Ci for a Top Gear challenge.
- He also owned a 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello, which he later regretted selling.
Motorcycles He Owns (or Has Owned)
Richard is a big fan of motorcycles and has ridden them for over 30 years.
- A 1925 Sunbeam Model A.
- A 1946 Indian Chief.
- A 1962 Triumph Bonneville.
- A 1974 Kawasaki Z900.
- A 1998 Ducati 916 SPS Fogarty Replica.
- A 2012 BMW R1200RT, which he calls "The best bike in the world."
- His first motorcycle was a Honda MTX50.
Other Vehicles
Besides cars and motorcycles, Richard also owns:
- A 2005 Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter.
- A John Deere 6210 SE tractor.
Helping Others: Charity Work
Richard Hammond is an ambassador for The Children's Trust. This UK charity helps children with brain injuries and other brain-related conditions.
In 2013, Richard drove a pink Lamborghini Aventador Roadster for Emilia Palmer, an eight-year-old girl with a serious illness. He also flew his helicopter to pick her up. This special event was organized by Rays of Sunshine, a charity that grants wishes to seriously ill children.
Images for kids
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Hammond in Toronto at 2024 Canadian International AutoShow
See also
In Spanish: Richard Hammond para niños
