Richard Hammond facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Richard Hammond
Hammond at the Canadian International AutoShow in February 2024
Born	Richard Mark Hammond (1969-12-19) 19 December 1969 (age 55) Solihull, Warwickshire, England
Alma mater	Harrogate College of Art and Technology
Occupation	Broadcaster journalist businessman author
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 popular car show Top Gear on BBC Two from 2002 to 2015. He worked alongside Jeremy Clarkson and James May. After Top Gear, the three presenters moved to Amazon Prime Video to host The Grand Tour from 2016 to 2024.

Richard Hammond has also presented other fun shows. These include the science show Brainiac: Science Abuse (2003–2008) and the game show Total Wipeout (2009–2012). He also hosted the nature series Planet Earth Live (2012). In 2016, he helped launch DriveTribe, a popular car website and YouTube channel.

Early Life and Education

Richard Mark Hammond was born on 19 December 1969, in Solihull, Warwickshire, England. He was the oldest of three sons. His family moved to Ripon, North Yorkshire, in the mid-1980s.

Richard went to Blossomfield Infant School when he was young. He later attended Ripon Grammar School. From 1986 to 1988, he studied at Harrogate College of Art and Technology. His very first job was shovelling grit at a water plant.

Television Career Highlights

After college, Richard worked for several BBC radio stations. He also worked for Renault's press office. This helped him meet people who wrote about cars.

While working at Radio Lancashire, he became friends with car journalist Zog Ziegler. Zog encouraged Richard to try reviewing cars on TV. Richard started on satellite TV before auditioning for Top Gear.

Becoming a Top Gear Star

Hammond in 2006

Richard Hammond joined Top Gear in 2002 when the show got a new look. He presented alongside Jeremy Clarkson and Jason Dawe. Later, James May joined the team. Fans and his co-presenters often call him "The Hamster." This nickname comes from his name and his shorter height compared to James and Jeremy.

In September 2006, Richard had a serious crash while filming. He was driving a jet-powered car. He returned to Top Gear in January 2007. The show featured clips of the crash. Richard asked that the crash not be mentioned again on the show. However, his co-presenters sometimes made jokes about it. He once joked that the only change after the crash was that he started liking celery!

After the BBC decided not to keep Jeremy Clarkson in 2015, Richard's contract also ended. He said he would not continue Top Gear without his friends. A special episode with all three presenters aired in June 2015.

The Vampire Dragster Crash

Hammond (centre) with James May (left) and Jeremy Clarkson (right) at Top Gear Live Italia in 2014

On 20 September 2006, Richard was hurt in a crash. It happened while filming a Top Gear segment 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).

The accident happened on his seventh and final run. His front-right tyre failed. The car went off the runway and rolled over many times. Emergency teams quickly reached the car. Richard was unconscious but breathing. He was taken to the hospital by air ambulance. His family and co-presenters visited him. Jeremy Clarkson sent funny messages to Richard's wife every day to cheer her up.

Richard was in a special sleep-like state for two weeks. He also had memory loss. He didn't remember things that happened before or right after the crash. He later wrote a book about his experience called On The Edge: My Story. In 2008, he shared that he was still dealing with memory issues and sadness.

Other TV Shows and Projects

Richard has presented many other TV shows. Early in his career, he hosted lifestyle and car shows like Motor Week. 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 history in Richard Hammond and the Holy Grail.

Hammond driving a diesel BMW 3 Series in the 2007 Britcar 24 Hours, as part of an episode of Top Gear

From 2008 to 2012, Richard presented Richard Hammond's Engineering Connections on the National Geographic Channel. In this show, he explored how old inventions and nature inspire modern designs. He looked at things like the Airbus A380 and Wembley Stadium.

He hosted the UK version of Wipeout, called Total Wipeout, for BBC One. He also had a science game show for kids called Richard Hammond's Blast Lab.

In 2010, Richard presented Richard Hammond's Invisible Worlds. This series looked at things too fast or too small for the human eye to see. He also hosted Richard Hammond's Crash Course for BBC America in 2012.

From 2014 to 2015, he presented Science of Stupid on National Geographic Channel. This show explained the physics behind funny accidents. In 2015, he filmed Richard Hammond's Jungle Quest in the rainforest.

Hammond in 2016, during filming for The Grand Tour

While filming The Grand Tour in Mozambique in 2017, Richard fell off his motorbike several times. He even hit his head and was knocked out once.

The Rimac Concept One Crash

On 10 June 2017, Richard crashed a Rimac Concept One car. This happened while filming for The Grand Tour in Switzerland. The car went off the road after crossing the finish line. It tumbled down a hill and landed upside down.

Richard was conscious and later said he thought he was going to die. He was flown to the hospital. Doctors found a serious leg injury and put a plate and screws in his knee. His co-presenters, Jeremy Clarkson and James May, saw the crash. They were very worried, thinking he might not have survived.

Richard Hammond's Workshop

Hammond in Toronto at 2024 Canadian International AutoShow

In June 2021, Richard announced a new show with Discovery+. It's called Richard Hammond's Workshop. The show is about restoring old cars. It started in October 2021 and has had three seasons.

Beverage Business

On July 27, 2025, Richard Hammond launched his own English whisky and gin collection. This was made with Hawkridge distillery. His products include Iron Ridge single malt whisky and Hammond’s Ratio London Dry Gin. His colleagues, James May and Jeremy Clarkson, also have their own drinks brands.

Personal Life and Interests

Richard Hammond married Amanda "Mindy" Etheridge in May 2002. They have two daughters, born in 2001 and 2004. In January 2025, Richard announced that he and Mindy were separating. In February 2025, Richard shared that his father had passed away.

His friend Zog Ziegler gave him the nickname "Hamster." This happened when Richard announced his first child was due. Zog said, "And out will pop another hamster." The name stuck, especially on Top Gear.

Richard and his family adopted TG, the official Top Gear dog. TG was a labradoodle who was afraid of cars. The dog passed away in January 2017.

Richard plays the bass guitar. He once played with his Top Gear co-presenters for Comic Relief. He enjoys riding his bicycle, scooter, and motorbike in cities. His co-presenter Jeremy Clarkson often teases him about this.

Richard is not a fan of the band Genesis. His co-presenters, especially Jeremy Clarkson, often used this to tease him on Top Gear. They would play Genesis songs loudly in his car during challenges.

In 2007, Richard went on a Top Gear special trip across Botswana. He drove a 1963 Opel Kadett and named it 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.

Richard is an ambassador for The Children's Trust. This UK charity helps children with brain injuries. In 2013, he drove a terminally-ill eight-year-old girl in a pink Lamborghini Aventador. He also flew her in his helicopter. This special event was arranged by Rays of Sunshine.

Homes

Bollitree Castle in Weston under Penyard

The Hammond family lives in a castle-like home in Herefordshire, England. They also have an apartment in London. In 2012, it was reported that Richard bought Bollitree Castle near Ross-on-Wye.

Vehicle Collection

Richard Hammond is known for his love of cars and motorcycles. He owns or has owned many different vehicles.

Cars

• 1929 Ford Model A
• 1933 Riley Alpine Tourer
• 1934 Morgan 3-Wheeler
• 1942 Ford GPW
• 1956 Land Rover Series 1 (being restored)
• 1958 Jaguar XK150
• 1962 Jaguar E-Type Roadster Mk1
• 1962 Opel Kadett (named Olivia)
• 1963 Opel Kadett (named Oliver)
• 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390
• 1971 Buick Riviera (customized for The Grand Tour)
• 1972 MGB GT
• 1979 MG Midget
• 1979 Ford Escort RS2000 MkII
• 1987 Land Rover Defender-110 ("Buster")
• 1999 Jaguar XJR (X308)
• 2003 Subaru Impreza WRX STI V Limited Edition
• 2005 Chevrolet SSR
• 2008 Morgan 4/4
• 2012 Land Rover Defender (customized)
• 2016 Ford Mustang convertible
• 2021 Ford Ranger
• Land Rover 110 Station Wagon ("Wallycar")
• Land Rover Discovery 4 SDV6 HSE
• Jaguar XK120 (being restored)
• 2023 Ram 1500 TRX
• 2023 Porsche 911 Turbo S

Motorcycles

Richard is a big fan of motorcycles and has ridden them for over 30 years.

• 1925 Sunbeam Model A
• 1929 BMW R52
• 1935 Indian
• 1946 Indian Chief
• 1947 Harley Davidson
• 1951 BMW R51
• 1959 Norton Dominator
• 1961 Triumph Bonneville T120C
• 1962 Triumph Bonneville
• 1970s Moto Guzzi V7 Sport
• 1974 Kawasaki Z900
• 1976 BMW R90S
• 1976 Honda Gold Wing
• 1976 Yamaha FS-1E
• 1981 BMW R100RT ("Eric")
• 1988 BMW R100GS
• 1990 BMW K1
• 1990 BMW K100RS
• 1991 Suzuki GSX-R1100
• 1992 Kawasaki KR1-S
• 1992 Kawasaki ZXR-750
• 1998 Ducati 916 SPS Fogarty Replica
• 2012 BMW R1200RT
• 2014 Norton Commando 961 SE
• Bimota SB8R
• Bimota YB9
• Brough Superior SS80
• Brough Superior SS100
• Ducati 900 Super Sport Desmo
• Honda CBX
• Honda SS50
• Moto Guzzi Daytona 1000
• Suzuki GS1000
• Vespa GTS 300 Super Sport scooter
• Vincent Black Shadow
• Yamaha Virago

Other Vehicles

• 2005 Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter
• John Deere 6210 SE tractor
• 2022 Ford Transit (for his restoration company)

Filmography

Television

Awards and Recognition

Richard Hammond has won many awards for his television work.

See also

In Spanish: Richard Hammond para niños