Latest from What To Watch in Richard-hammond

Richard Hammond's Workshop season 2 — exclusive interview and all we know about the new series

Tess Lamacraft — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 14:14:46 +0000

Richard Hammond's Workshop is back for a new series and will be following the presenter's progress as he gets to grips with the classic car restoration business that he set up over a year ago.

Richard Hammond's Workshop season 1, which aired in 2021, showed The Grand Tour presenter fulfilling a lifelong ambition of starting his restoration and repair workshop, The Smallest Cog, near his home in Herefordshire.

Striving to learn the business from the ground up, Richard teamed up with car 'wonder-family' Neil, Anthony and Andrew Greenhouse.

However, a year into trading and Richard is starting to fret when the company is still not turning a profit.

Here in an exclusive interview with Richard, we tell you everything you need to know about the new series which gives an insight into the trials and tribulations facing the former Top Gear presenter as well as providing a peek into his family life with wife Mindy and their teenage daughters, Izzy and Willow...

Richard Hammond with his workshop colleagues, Neil, Anthony and Andrew Greenhouse. (Image credit: Discovery )

Richard Hammond's Workshop — release date

The new series will air on Monday, October 17 on Discovery + with ten hour-long episodes to follow.

Richard Hammond's Workshop — what happens in the series?

The all-new episodes will see the team get a crash course in racing, see Richard's wife, Mindy, investigate her husband's business management skills and also follow Richard as he tries to impress prospective clients at a high-end car event.

Meanwhile, the dad-of-two will be taking on one of his biggest challenges yet as he tries to teach his younger daughter, Willow, how to drive.

Richard Hammond's Workshop — what does Richard get up to in the opening episode?

The first episode of the new series sees Richard having to deal with some unwelcome furry guests in his workshop (earning him a ticking off from his wife Mindy), taking a trip to the Lake District to see his best mate, Les, and throwing himself into the classic car rally, the Herefordshire Trials, where things get very muddy... and a little bit stuck.

Richard gets his wife and daughter to help out in the Herefordshire Trials. (Image credit: Discovery )

Read our exclusive interview with Richard here...

What were your preconceptions before starting the business and how would you say things are panning out?

Richard Hammond: "I had this idea that it was all going to be idyllic, that I'd have a nice little workshop and I'd be able to go in and roll my sleeves up and learn how to paint cars and how to do all the real craftwork just like my grandfather used to do. That's one of the reasons I started it, my grandfather was a coach-builder.

"However, I quickly discovered that the business side of it tends to take over and trying to make it work is really, really hard!"

"I'm not a business person it transpires. I'm a television presenter so it’s been quite a lot of effort and one heck of a big learning curve. I wish I'd known beforehand that it would be one bottomless pit of money! "

What was your wife Mindy's reaction when you first said you were going ahead with the new enterprise?

"I think she supported the concept but she also knows me well enough to know I probably wouldn't be able to carry it off as smoothly as the idea can be delivered! She steps in throughout the series, which of course means she steps in in reality too because this series is real life, it's what's actually happening in our day-to-day life."

Richard Hammond's dream is to have a successful business restoring classic cars. (Image credit: Discovery )

In the first episode we see you going to the Lake District where you meet your friend Les. What's special about that part of the world to you?

"Buttermere is my favourite place in the world. I first went there when I was 17 to do a walk on my own with my dog. I stayed in Sykes Farm Campsite and one day I was sitting in the Bridge Hotel beer garden having one pint of beer because that’s all I could afford. A sheep broke into the garden and my sheep dog immediately hid under the bench which made everyone laugh. That's when I got chatting to Les and we’ve been best friends ever since. Buttermere is sort of my spiritual home."

What is the biggest adrenaline rush you experience during this new series?

"Well I mean it’s not The Grand Tour — I'm not going to be driving down mountains or anything, the adrenaline rush is in trying to make the business work and realizing 'Oh God, I’ve got to find more money to put in it!'. There's lots of stuff happening though, we do some vintage car trialing and later on in the series I decide to launch a race team because I think it will be a good way of getting attention to the workshop. You’ll see how that goes! It takes the odd unexpected twist and turn along the way."

And we're also going to see you teach your daughter Willow to drive. Was that quite a challenge?

"I'm not sure how much I taught her in the end. She’s a perfectly competent driver but I don't know how much I had to add to the experience. Neither of my daughters will listen to me! It's funny, I've done all the driving in the world but as far as they’re concerned I’m just dad and what do I know. And to be fair, with my record, they're probably right. (Richard had more than his fair share of crashes during his Top Gear days). My top tip on teaching a teenager to drive is get a driving instructor."

Richard Hammond and his workshop colleagues have got their work cut out. (Image credit: Discovery )

What are your memories of taking your own driving test and did you pass first time?

"No, I failed first time. I learnt in my dad's Astra and took the test in Harrogate, North Yorkshire where I was living. The examiner was very fierce and I was scared of her. We approached a light just as it had gone amber and she said, ‘Proceed as you normally would’ so I thought, ‘Right, I’ll give it a boot-full then’ and she failed me which was fair enough. I passed the second time round."

Richard Hammond has a passion for classic cars. (Image credit: Discovery )

What's been your favourite car to come through your workshop doors so far?

"My friend Les’s Riley is kind of exciting and the Alva that we've been working for a long time is thrilling. We've got a lovely Porsche in at the moment too but it’s the stories as much as the cars that are special. For example there’s an old Tuk Tuk that somebody brought back from Sri Lanka and we got that going again so that he could take his lad to school in it."

Will we be seeing your Grand Tour co-presenters James May and Jeremy Clarkson paying a visit to your workshop?

"No. They don't really like old cars. James certainly doesn't and Jeremy's not keen either. James did come round for a visit and brought his bike to the workshop but that was all off-camera."

Richard Hammond's Workshop airs from Monday, October 17 on Discovery +

The Grand Tour Presents: A Scandi Flick —air date, interview, trailer and everything we know

Rebecca Mahoney — Thu, 08 Sep 2022 15:58:03 +0000

The Grand Tour boys are back filming in far-flung destinations as series five kicks off with a chaos-fuelled special episode — The Grand Tour Presents: A Scandi Flick — which is set in Scandinavia’s icy wilderness.

The Grand Tour Presents: A Scandi Flick begins in the Lofoten Islands in northern Norway, where Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May set off on their mission to drive their pick of rally cars through Sweden and onto Finland, without ever dropping below the Arctic Circle.

Their stunning road trip takes in frozen lake racetracks and Cold War submarine bases, with plenty of pranks along the way that leave the trio on thin ice!

Here, Richard Hammond tells us everything we need to know about The Grand Tour Presents: A Scandi Flick…

Release date of The Grand Tour Presents: A Scandi Flick

The Grand Tour Presents: A Scandi Flick is available from Friday 16 September on Prime Video.

What happens in The Grand Tour Presents: A Scandi Flick?

After two specials filmed during lockdown, Carnage a Trois and Lochdown (both aired last year), the trio is all revved up to be back touring foreign climes. Tasked with driving through what’s described as ‘Europe’s last great wilderness’, Clarkson and co take viewers on a front-seat tour of spectacular snowscapes in Norway, Sweden and Finland.

There are challenges along the way, including pulling makeshift houses across Finland to the Russian border and speeding through ominous tunnels in an old Cold War submarine base.

"It felt great to be allowed back out into the world, but that’s not to play down the specials we shot in lockdown. We were really pleased with them," Richard tells us via video link. "They reminded us that it’s not all about the ambitious scale of a trip; it can be more about how we three get along and our passion for cars.

"But we do explore gorgeous terrain here," says Richard. "It’s described as 'Europe’s last great wilderness', and when the weather permitted, it was spectacularly beautiful. But it gradually became gritty and forbidding."

Spectacular snowy scenes as the boys drive through Scandinavia. (Image credit: Prime Video )

What cars will we see in The Grand Tour Presents: A Scandi Flick?

Richard tells us: "We figured rally-bred cars would give us the potential to cross rugged terrain, plus they're really exciting. I went for the Subaru Impreza because it was literally born out of rallying. James went for the Mitsubishi Evo, which has a slightly nerdier element.

"Jeremy, however, chose an Audi RS4 because Audi also made a rally car, but it wasn't that one," Richard continues. "It was more powerful than the others, though, so that made him happy. It's usually one rule for him and one for everyone else, but we’ve learned to live with that."

Jeremy Clarkson pits his modified Audi RS4 against Richard Hammond's Subaru Impreza. (Image credit: Prime Video )

What else happens in The Grand Tour Presents: A Scandi Flick?

Despite often-perilous weather and terrain, as always, the petrolhead pals’ pranks and stunts cause the most chaos. Look out for Richard Hammond hurtling down a ski slope in a homemade house, Jeremy setting fire to his own car and scenes of skiers being towed across a frozen lake at high speeds.

But when James May dramatically crashes in a tunnel and is carted off to hospital, will it cut his trip short?

"I heard a boom from the other end of the tunnel and feared James’s arms, legs and head might have come off because he's not that well strapped together at his age," Richard reveals. "But the motto is, 'We're always prepared to leave a man in the field, if necessary'.

"We were concerned, of course, but on one hand you've got damage to a classic example of a spectacular breed of car, developed and honed over many years," Richard continues. "On the other, you've got possible damage to a gangly, blond-haired old man."

Jeremy Clarkson sets his car alight when Richard Hammond encases it in ice. (Image credit: Prime Video )

Is there a trailer?

Yes, you can watch a trailer for The Grand Tour Presents: A Scandi Flick here. It’s hair-raising stuff!

What else is coming up in series five of The Grand Tour?

The boys have been spotted shooting in Europe but are keeping tight-lipped about details surrounding the next episode. Rumour has it they’ve filmed in Poland, Slovakia and Hungary. Can Hammond tell us more?

"No, I will be shot!" he laughs.

The Grand Tour Presents: A Scandi Flick is available from Friday, September 16 on Prime Video.

Richard Hammond to undergo knee surgery following horror crash

Press Association — Sun, 11 Jun 2017 12:47:45 +0000

Former Top Gear host Richard Hammond is to undergo knee surgery after he was involved in a horror car crash in Switzerland.

Former Top Gear host Richard Hammond will undergo knee surgery after he suffered a broken leg when the car he was driving crashed and burst into flames.

The incident took place during filming for The Grand Tour in Switzerland where the TV presenter, 47, was driving an electric super car, and his colleague Jeremy Clarkson described it as “the biggest crash I’ve ever seen and the most frightening”.

Richard escaped the crash, which left the vehicle on its roof and scorched, with no serious injuries but requires knee surgery and may fly home for the procedure, according to F1 presenter Sasha Martinego who told his Twitter followers the pair had spoken.

A spokesman for The Grand Tour said: “Richard Hammond was involved in a serious crash after completing the Hemburg Hill Climb in Switzerland in a Rimac Concept One, an electric super car built in Croatia, during filming for The Grand Tour Season 2 on Amazon Prime, but very fortunately suffered no serious injury.

“Richard was conscious and talking, and climbed out of the car himself before the vehicle burst into flames.

“He was flown by Air Ambulance to hospital in St Gallen to be checked over, revealing a fracture to his knee.

“Nobody else was in the car or involved in the accident, and we’d like to thank the paramedics on site for their swift response.

“The cause of the crash is unknown and is being investigated."

Richard Hammond suffers motorbike accident while filming The Grand Tour

Press Association — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 13:13:08 +0000

The former Top Gear presenter reveals he was hurt following a motorbike accident while filming in east Africa.

Former Top Gear presenter and dad of two, Richard Hammond has revealed he was hurt after falling off a motorbike while filming for The Grand Tour.

The presenter, also known as The Hamster, was in a remote part of Mozambique in east Africa shooting the Amazon Prime show when he had the accident.

Richard’s co-star Jeremy Clarkson told The Sun newspaper: “He really did hurt himself quite badly.”

The Grand Tour’s James May, Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond (Amazon Prime/PA)

But asked if fellow host Richard went to hospital, Jeremy joked: “We don’t do hospitals.”

It comes 11 years after Richard suffered life-threatening head injuries following a high-speed car crash as he filmed for BBC’s Top Gear in 2006.

The adrenaline-junkie was in a coma for a fortnight following the 288mph accident when a right tyre blew as he tried to set a land speed record at RAF Elvington near York.

He was airlifted to hospital in Leeds and the dad-of-two later revealed he suffered depression, paranoia and memory loss due to brain damage but went on to make a full recovery.

Following his most recent fall, Richard Hammond today assured fans he is “fine” and admitted he had fallen off a motorbike "many times" while filming for The Grand Tour.

In a post entitled “Yes, I fell off but yes, I’m fine. Sorry”, shared on motoring social media platform DriveTribe, Richard confirmed the reports of his latest accident.

He wrote: “Thanks for enquiries re my slight shunt whilst filming for GT.

“I can confirm that yes, I fell off a. bike, many times, in fact and yes, I banged my head and everything else. But life goes on (sic).”

Earlier today he tweeted, "I've checked and i'm not dead."

The Grand Tour crew: 'We don't really get on, but we've got no b****y choice'

David Hollingsworth — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 12:00:50 +0000

Putting the Top Gear ‘fracas’ behind them, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May are back in the driving seat for The Grand Tour…

If you thought you’d seen the last of Jeremy Clarkson and friends, you’d be wrong. Top Gear may have moved on without them, but there’s a new motoring show in town, full of fast cars, fun skits and not a fracas in sight.

Jeremy, 56, Richard Hammond, 46 and James May, 53 are sitting on the starting line for their new 12-part Amazon car show, The Grand Tour, which sees them pitch their tent in a new location each week, from California to Lapland.

We meet them on home turf, in a West London pub, where they are extremely diplomatic about Top Gear, but don’t hold back about each other…

Was it an easy decision to get back together? James: "Tragically I don’t think we ever separated – a new show was on the cards after about 15 minutes." Richard: "We are stuck because we’re all bigger and better working together. We don’t really get on, but we’ve got no bloody choice."

How similar is The Grand Tour to Top Gear? Richard: "Well, it’s three middle aged men driving about in cars getting things wrong and sometimes catching fire… so it’s completely different in every way! The show just feels revitalised, it’s done us the world of good." Jeremy: "We were too lazy to change Top Gear, so eventually it would have gone downhill, but this move forced us to think about new ideas. Our viewers have had 12 years of eating cottage pie on a Sunday night, and now you’re getting shepherd’s pie. It’s still meat and potato-based comfort food, but it’s different." Richard: "It was a bit scary at first. We’ve worked very hard to make sure that anybody who goes to the trouble of following us is rewarded with good stuff."

Where did the idea come from to travel round the world? Richard: "Jeremy’s good at claiming ideas are his, but filming around the world for The Grand Tour in a tent actually was. And then it turned out to be colossally expensive! But it gives the series something special, and how wonderful that we can do it on this scale. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for all of us." James: "Audiences are markedly different in each place, which changes the mood of every episode. It’s like a comedy club feel, but not as funny."

Has everything gone to plan so far on The Grand Tour? Richard: "Things go wrong all the time, but luckily our viewers expect that from us – building failure into the show was the best thing we ever did." James: "I broke my arm, but it’s a really boring story, I just slipped on a wet pavement like an old person. I had to drive an automatic for a bit, but it’s OK now." Jeremy: "There are so many deer living near our test track, they could film Autumnwatch there! It’s only a matter of time before we run one over and I’ll be sad. Incidentally, Autumnwatch is literally my favourite programme, because they cut live and the animal has always just run away…"

We’re guessing fans can look forward to more of your trademark banter? Richard: "Put us in whatever circumstance, we’ll still fall over, argue, get lost, bicker, shout and be bombastic. It’s what we are." Jeremy: "We hate the word banter, but we do like bickering, we are like three old women. It’s a three-year contract so at the end we’ll just have a massive fight and kill each other. It’s what we’ve always wanted." James: "We don’t like each other. I’m sick to death of them by the time we finish filming, so we don’t socialise. I can go home to the woman I love or I can go out with Jeremy Clarkson, I mean…"

Do you have more freedom at Amazon than the BBC? Jeremy: "Everybody thinks that the BBC was a nightmare, but it was brilliant until [former Director of BBC Television] Danny Cohen arrived. Before that they never interfered with what we were doing at all. Amazon is tremendous though, they even said we could swear, but we’re not going to. I’m dimly aware that’s not the done thing. It’s hard not having those words in your lexicon when you’re describing a Peugeot though…" Richard: "It’s got to be free of swearing because I want my family to be able to watch it, that really matters to us. We’re quite nice boys really… well, I am!"

You must have watched the new Top Gear, what did you think? Jeremy: "I think I’ve been concentrating on our new show! Matt Le Blanc was a good choice though." Richard: "Nothing good can come out of that conversation. I wish the BBC all the best, I haven’t fallen out with them in any way so good luck to them in any shows they make." James: "I liked it and I’m mates with a lot of the people working on it. I wouldn’t wish bad ratings on them."

The Grand Tour season 1 is available now to stream on Amazon Prime

The Grand Tour starring Jeremy Clarkson to premiere on Amazon in November

Patrick McLennan — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 10:08:40 +0000

Amazon Video has announced motoring adventure series The Grand Tour, starring Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, will start on November 18

The Grand Tour, the long-awaited show featuring former Top Gear presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, will premiere on Amazon Video from November 18.

New episodes of the motoring adventure series will be released by Amazon Video to Prime members each Friday.

The first episode of The Grand Tour will feature Jeremy, James and Richard in their first studio tent recording in California, which is being filmed later this month.

Amazon Prime Video EU VP Jay Marine said: “Customers have been desperate to find out when they can watch their favourite team back on screen, so we are very excited to announce the launch date of one of the most globally anticipated shows of 2016.

“The guys have been having a blast filming the show around the world and we can’t wait for fans to see it weekly from 18th November, only on Amazon Prime Video.”

The former Top Gear presenters committed to three series of The Grand Tour as part of a landmark global TV deal and for the last year, the team have been travelling the world filming this first series in exciting locations across the globe.

Clarkson and co-hosts Hammond and May left the BBC and signed the lucrative deal with Amazon last year in the wake of Clarkson's attack on Top Gear producer Oisin Tymon.

Their Grand Tour also includes studio audience recordings filmed in front of a live audience in their giant travelling tent. The team has already brought the tent to Johannesburg and will be heading to California later this month.

Prime members can watch The Grand Tour via the Amazon Video app on smart TVs, streaming media players - including FireTV and FireTV Stick - Xbox, PlayStation, Wii, Wii U, on iOS and Android phones and tablets, and on the web.

Fans can follow The Grand Tour on Facebook and Twitter and at www.amazon.co.uk/thegrandtour.

Watch a trailer for The Grand Tour:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oK0lkrtYvVs

Jeremy Clarkson has 'accident' on former Top Gear trio's new motoring series

Press Association — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 12:59:00 +0000

Jeremy Clarkson will be hoping his new motoring show isn’t a car crash but it appears to have already been hit by one.

The former Top Gear host tweeted a picture of the results of an “accident” during filming in Barbados for his new Amazon Prime series, which is still yet to be named.

Had a bit of an accident while filming today. pic.twitter.com/HUvzoFOqAb

— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) March 2, 2016

Clarkson shared the photograph of the vehicle’s mangled wreckage with his six million followers.

But he left people guessing about the cause of the “accident” by offering no explanation of what actually happened.

A spokeswoman for Clarkson was unable to provide any details of the incident.

Despite the apparent crash, there wasn’t much sympathy from Clarkson’s fellow presenter Richard Hammond.

@JeremyClarkson Two words for you:

Dingle. Berry.

— Richard Hammond (@RichardHammond) March 2, 2016

Jeremy, Richard and their fellow host James May have been filming on the Caribbean island for more than a week.

The trio have been tweeting pictures during their stay ahead of the highly anticipated series which is set to rival their former show, now fronted by Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc.

Another day in the office pic.twitter.com/RHmkuSObwf

— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) February 27, 2016

The view in Barbados is not always so agreeable. pic.twitter.com/zJwHOoJYc2

— James May (@MrJamesMay) February 26, 2016

Mr May has had a small accident pic.twitter.com/g09G94cUhm

— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) February 26, 2016

Richard Hammond: 'My jungle show is very different to Top Gear!' (VIDEO)

Sean Marland — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 16:23:00 +0000

Former Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond is heading to the rainforest to fulfil a lifelong dream and photograph some of the planet's most amazing creatures in Richard Hammond's Jungle Quest.

In this two-part series for Sky 1, Richard will trek through steamy impenetrable jungle, tackle the mighty River Amazon, sleep rough under the forest canopy and be hoisted hundreds of feet to the top of trees, in a bid to get the perfect wildlife shot.

We spoke to him about a breathtaking encounter he had with a sloth, dolphins that live in the forest, creating his own nature club as a young boy and how his friends Jeremy Clarkson and James May would have coped in the Amazon!

Richard Hammond's Jungle Quest begins on Sky 1 on Wednesday, September 16 at 9pm. Watch the interview with Richard, above. "]

Top Gear trio sign deal with Amazon Prime

michael.darling@futurenet.com (Michael Darling) — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 11:11:00 +0000

After months of speculation, Jeremy Clarkson and his former Top Gear colleagues have finally found a home for their new TV project.

When Clarkson was sacked from the BBC2 series earlier this year, his former co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May reportedly turned down a £4m to present the show without Clarkson. Instead, May and Hammond joined forces with their old pal and set to work on making a return to TV as a trio.

It was thought that they would end up going with ITV or Netflix, but Clarkson, Hammond, May – along with former Top Gear producer Andy Wilman – have closed a deal with Amazon Prime Video to produce three 12-part series.

Although there are few details about the format, the programme will go into production in early 2016 and will air later in the year.

“Customers told us they wanted to see the team back on screen, and we are excited to make that happen,” says Jay Marine, the vice president of Amazon Prime Video EU, who commissioned the show. “Millions of Prime members are already enjoying our ground-breaking original shows. We can’t wait to see what Jeremy, Richard, James and the team will create in what is sure to be one of the most globally anticipated shows of 2016.”

Richard Hammond goes off-road for new Sky 1 adventure series Jungle Quest

Press Association — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 08:31:00 +0000

Former Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond is set to make a TV return on Sky 1.

He will appear in two one-hour episodes in Richard Hammond’s Jungle Quest.

The show will see him venturing deep into the Amazon jungle, armed with his camera, photographing exotic animals.

The trip was a long-held ambition, sparked when he received his first Children’s Encyclopaedia of Animals as a youngster, said Sky 1.

Richard Hammond will go into the jungle solo (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

In an official statement, Richard said: “Trekking through the Amazon rainforest with a camera to photograph wildlife was a childhood dream.

“The reality was, I discovered, far, far tougher than I had imagined, but the moments when I saw and caught images of the elusive creatures and fleeting encounters that make the place so special, so unique and yet so fragile, were breathtaking and some of the best in my life.

“I hope viewers will feel they have been there too, in this film, getting a sense of the magic, splendour and wonder of the place as animals and humans live side-by-side amidst the threats they face – the very things that Sky Rainforest Rescue campaign works to highlight.

Richard Hammond (Ian West/PA)

“And most of all, I hope people enjoy watching it as much as I enjoyed making it.”

The show has been supported by Sky Rainforest Rescue, the channel’s partnership with the World Wildlife Fund.

Richard Hammond's Jungle Quest will broadcast in September on Sky 1 HD.

Has Jeremy Clarkson dodged a BBC contract clause to nab ITV show?

michael.darling@futurenet.com (Michael Darling) — Sun, 12 Jul 2015 10:38:00 +0000

Despite the BBC banning Jeremy Clarkson from working for another UK broadcaster until 2017, it seems the former Top Gear presenter has found a legal loophole which means he could end up presenting an ITV show to rival the BBC2 motoring show when it returns with new presenters.

Bosses at the BBC thought a clause in Clarkson’s contract would stop him from working for another channel for a couple of years, but – according to the Daily Mirror – Jeremy has discovered that he could still get the project of the ground if it’s made by an overseas production team. They could then sell the rights around the world, including UK broadcasters such as ITV.

It means Clarkson – and pals James May and Richard Hammond, – could find themselves with a primetime slot on the BBC’s main rival.

A source told the newspaper: “It has been a battle with all the legal complications, but after some solid advice Jeremy believes they’ll successfully get around the issues despite the BBC making desperate efforts to stop them.”

Last month, it was revealed that May and Hammond turned down a £4m offer from the BBC to present Top Gear without Clarkson. Refusing to return to the motoring show without their pal, May and Hammond are working with Clarkson to make a return to TV as a trio.

Meanwhile, the BBC are pressing ahead with plans to bring back Top Gear with a completely new presenting team, which will include DJ and TV presenter Chris Evans, and two other, as yet unnamed, hosts.

Just under 6 million watch Jeremy Clarkson bow out of Top Gear

Press Association — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 12:17:00 +0000

Top Gear’s finale with Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May failed to break records last night when it bowed out with 5.8 million viewers.

There had been speculation that the programme, filmed before Clarkson was axed from the show, could reach a new high for Top Gear.

May and Hammond presented from an empty studio without the usual live audience, while Clarkson was replaced by a 10ft plastic replica elephant.

After the episode screened, an emotional Clarkson, who was sacked for punching a producer in a row over steak, apologised to fans for the trio’s departure from the show.

Many many thanks for all your support and encouragement over the years. So sad and sorry it's ended like this

— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) June 28, 2015

Strange that BBC News is talking down the last Top Gear tonight. Do they not want big ratings for some reason?

— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) June 28, 2015

In 2007, Top Gear won its highest ever audience with 8.35 million viewers, featuring Formula One ace Lewis Hamilton.

Unlike last night however, the 2007 figure included 'consolidated' viewing, featuring live viewing and time-shift recordings but not iPlayer.

In December last year, Top Gear’s Patagonia special – the episode which sparked a diplomatic incident with Argentina – was reported to have peaked at 5.11 million overnight.

(PA)

Last night’s Top Gear finale was the biggest programme of the day, with 23 per cent of viewers.

The figures are on a par with overnight figures for the series, before it was taken off air.

The 75-minutes of footage for the finale marked the end of an era with Clarkson saying he 'hates' working on the show.

(PA)

While stuck in a muddy river, Clarkson is heard lamenting: “I hate working on Top Gear.”

In a challenge, the trio were tasked with racing across muddy farmlands to reach a black-tie event at Broughton Hall.

Clarkson appears to urinate in his tuxedo, saying: “I can’t imagine a urine-soaked pair of trousers is going to put the audience off because…” he explains, gesturing to his mud-covered hands and clothes.

The last person to arrive had to give a speech in aid of the North Yorkshire Carbon Management and Sustainability Trust.

Top Gear producer Oisin Tymon (BBC Worldwide/PA)

A scene showing a quiz in a pub with some of the show’s producers had people on social media speculating whether one of them was Oisin Tymon, whom Clarkson fell out with.

Other highlights included Hammond being strapped to the top of an aeroplane, his prize for winning their first challenge, involving a classic cars.

May, who caused some bemusement on social media by wearing a large blue and white patchwork jacket, told his fans this morning: “Thanks for all your kind comments about Top Gear last night. To be honest, I was expecting more s*** about that jacket.”

James May and Richard Hammond filmed some segments after Clarkson had left the BBC (Ellis O’Brien/BBC)

Hammond also said farewell, writing: “Can’t believe that one life has room to accommodate the first and the last steps of that incredible adventure. Thanks for your company.”

Top Gear will return with new host Chris Evans next year.

Jeremy Clarkson's last ‘cobbled-together’ Top Gear is expected to smash records

Alison Gardner — Sun, 28 Jun 2015 11:02:00 +0000

The last episode of Top Gear with Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May airs on BBC2 tonight (June 29) and, according to sacked presenter Jeremy, it has been “cobbled together”.

Writing in his column for The Sun on Saturday, Jeremy said: “At 8.00pm tomorrow, BBC2 is screening an edition of Top Gear cobbled together from two films that were made before I was fired. One of them is quite good.”

But their 75-minute final episode is predicted by bookies William Hill to smash the show’s current ratings record of 8.35 million viewers, set in December 2007.

The episode is made up of previously unseen footage shot before Jeremy was sacked in March after he hit a producer, and features two films that were shot for the last series.

In the first film, Jeremy, Richard Hammond and James May immerse themselves in the lifestyle of the traditional classic car enthusiast.

Armed with affordable classics, including a Fiat 124 Spyder, a Peugeot 304 Cabriolet and an MGB GT, the trio set off on an adventure that includes brown beer, breakdowns and a hair-raising classic car show.

In the second film, Jeremy, Richard and James try to become lifestyle leisure enthusiasts with the help of some incredibly cheap lifestyle leisure vehicles.

Restricted to a maximum budget of £250, the trio buy three massive mileage SUVs - a Vauxhall Frontera, a Jeep Cherokee and a Mitsubishi Shogun - and embark on a series of action-packed challenges that include battling with the Stig’s “Leisure Activity Cousin” and a race which has terrifying consequences for the loser.

But not quite as bad as not having any more Top Gear with these three amigos after this… Jeremy has said he will watch the final episode “with a tear in my eye” and Richard has told Australian journalists that finishing the final episode “broke my heart and I don’t think I’ll be able to watch it”.

Top Gear, BBC2, Sunday, June 29, 8.00pm.

Top Gear trio to reunite for new TV project on Netflix

michael.darling@futurenet.com (Michael Darling) — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 10:41:00 +0000

Richard Hammond and James May are to launch a new show with their sacked Top Gear colleague Jeremy Clarkson.

According to Mirror Online, no amount of cash would persuade the pair to return to the BBC2 show without Clarkson. In fact, they are turning down an offer – worth £4million – to work on the new project with their old pal.

A source told the website that Jeremy, Richard and James, along with executive producer Andy Wilman, are on the verge of closing a big-money deal with on-demand provider Netflix.

James, Richard and Jeremy have been in talks with a number of channels and media outlets – including ITV – but the source claimed the trio have opted to go with Netflix, whose hit shows include House of Cards.

"They’ve always said they come as a team and that hasn’t changed,” said the source. “They are all very excited at the prospect of having total editorial control over their new show, to make it and get it distributed.

"It would be groundbreaking and also incredible lucrative. They would stand to earn much, much more than they would with the BBC."

Earlier this week, May and Hammond shot studio scenes for two Top Gear films, which were made before Clarkson was let go by the BBC following the fracas with producer Oisin Tymon. The two episodes will be screened in the next few weeks.

Another source told Mirror Online : “Clarkson had his faults but his importance to the show cannot be understated.

"He wrote it, came up with ideas and was its heart. It will need about three or four good operators to replace him..

“Richard and James could make it work as a duo - but the idea of different guest presenters every week is seen as a non-starter.

“They’ve been sounded out to return - but if, as expected Richard and Jamesturn the offer down, then Top Gear will have to be re-invented - undergoing a total re-boot and re-branding."

BBC offers £1m contracts to James May and Richard Hammond?

Press Association — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 10:23:00 +0000

The BBC is looking to keep Jeremy Clarkson’s former Top Gear co-hosts on the show despite his departure, it has been reported.

James May and Richard Hammond have been offered deals in the region of £1 million a year to stay with the hit motoring show, according to The Times.

James May and Richard Hammond (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Such a deal would make the pair among the corporation’s highest earners.

It comes amid speculation the BBC will not directly replace Jeremy, but instead have a guest host on each show.

The corporation used a similar tactic when another of its best known faces – Have I Got News For You host Angus Deayton – was fired after reports emerged of drug use and encounters with prostitutes.

Richard’s spokesman declined to comment, while James’s representative could not be reached.

A BBC spokeswoman said: “We do not comment on speculation.”

Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson and James May (Liam McBurney/PA)

All three men’s contracts ran out earlier this year and the BBC refused to renew Jeremy’s after his attack on producer Oisin Tymon.

Top Gear’s former executive producer – and Jeremy’s old school friend – Andy Wilman has left the show, which sparked rumours he was joining up with all three men to make an alternative programme, with Netflix and ITV among the broadcasters rumoured to be in the running to show it.

BBC Two controller Kim Shillinglaw, the woman tasked with putting the programme back together after Jeremy’s exit, has previously refused to rule out a return to the show for the other two presenters.

Speaking in April, she said conversations were 'ongoing' with the pair and confirmed scenes filmed before Jeremy was suspended were likely to air this summer.

Dermot O’Leary has ruled himself out of the Top Gear job (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA)

Several names have been put forward as Jeremy’s possible replacements, including Guy Martin and Jodie Kidd, but another contender – Dermot O’Leary – has ruled himself out.

The former X Factor host told the Daily Mirror he had not been approached about the job.

Top Gear's former boss: BBC 'considered axing Richard Hammond'

Press Association — Wed, 20 May 2015 15:46:00 +0000

Former Top Gear executive producer Andy Wilman has had a dig at what he called the BBC’s 'Meddling Department' and told how his bosses considered axing Richard Hammond.

Wilman quit the long-running TV series in the wake of Jeremy Clarkson’s departure and the BBC plans to relaunch Top Gear with new presenters.

But the TV executive, who alongside Clarkson, Hammond and James May, are believed to be negotiating with a streaming service like Netflix or Amazon, said of the show: “I don’t think we’ll see the like of it ever again.”

Writing about the success of the show in the latest edition of Top Gear magazine, Wilman said: “The show that finally ground to a halt just over a month ago was a colossus.”

Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond could be heading for another channel (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

He added: “In our heads we were making a car show for car dweebs, but as series four went to five went to six, we realised that the actual growing was sprouting in directions we hadn’t reckoned on.

“Because we never planned it, I don’t think we’ll see the like of it ever again.”

He told how BBC management were unsure whether they wanted to keep Hammond after he made his first series in the Top Gear reboot.

“For a while, for some reason I cannot fathom, the BBC management had a wobble about Richard and in their usual, classic HR style said to him, ‘We may not want you back for the second series, but, anyway, have a good Christmas’.”

Richard Hammond (Todd Williamson/Invision)

Wilman complained that the show received many visits from the 'BBC Meddling Department'.

He said that on one occasion they 'told us that market research showed our show was attracting young, lifestyle, trendy viewers to BBC Two, so perhaps we should think about getting a young, lifestyle, trendy presenter'.

“Ever keen to assist, we searched high and low and eventually came up with just the man: James May.”

He added: “At one point, the Meddling Department arrived bearing more news from the outside world. Nearly half of our audience, they now declared, was female.

“Before they had a chance to follow that up with the inevitable suggestion to get a woman presenter, we shooed them out and carried on.”

Former Top Gear presenters Richard Hammond, James May and Jeremy Clarkson (Gareth Fuller/PA)

The show constantly hit the headlines for controversy and Wilman said: “We made a Wall of Complaints as a home for the best and most vitriolic ones.”

He said he would never forget Hammond’s accident, in which he ended up in a coma when the tyre of a jet car blew at 288mph.

He added: “What I never had to worry about were the words coming out of the presenters’ mouths. Any producer would be blessed to have those three. They would set off on a road trip, no script, just a few bullet points in their heads, and riff away like mates… so much of their drivelly banter was gold.”

His comments came after Clarkson was set for a return to the BBC, being interviewed on the Radio 2 breakfast show with Chris Evans.

The 55-year-old is expected to speak about his future in the studio tomorrow morning, in his first interview since being axed as Top Gear presenter following his attack on producer Oisin Tymon.

Jeremy Clarkson reunites with his Top Gear pals

michael.darling@futurenet.com (Michael Darling) — Sat, 09 May 2015 12:47:00 +0000

Sacked Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson was reunited with his old pals James May and Richard Hammond when they filmed scenes for their forthcoming tour – Clarkson, Hammond & May Live.

Following Clarkson’s sacking by the BBC, the tour – formerly known as Top Gear Live – has been renamed but still promises to include the usual mix 'supercars, stunts, explosions and irreverent humour'.

The trio were filming a new scene of The Interceptors, their spoof of 1970s action series such as The Persuaders and Jason King.

Jeremy was seen wearing a pink scarf, a fake moustache and a pair of thick blue glasses, while Hammond wore a brown leather jacket and a thick moustache.

"The three presenters have been working incredibly hard to make sure it's better than ever before,” says Rowland French, creative director of the tour. “I’m certainly looking forward to seeing them back doing what they do best."

A few days ago it was revealed that the three presenters are in talks with ITV to present a Top Gear style show on the BBC’s rival channel.

Originally, insiders at ITV insisted that there were no plans to enter negotiations with Clarkson, but that seems to have changed now that Hammond and May have confirmed they won’t return to Top Gear on BBC2 with Clarkson.

Meanwhile, after failing to retain Hammond and May, bosses at the BBC bosses are planning to relaunch Top Gear with new presenters.

Top Gear hosts James May and Richard Hammond are selling 12 motorbikes

Press Association — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 10:17:00 +0000

Twelve motorcycles belonging to Top Gear presenters Richard Hammond and James May are to be sold.

The pair, whose future is uncertain following colleague Jeremy Clarkson’s sacking from the show, joked about their predicament after it was announced the bikes would go under the hammer at Bonhams Spring Stafford Sale later this month.

James said: “Just because I’m unemployed now doesn’t mean I have to get rid of everything. I was going to sell these bikes anyway. And those paintings, and my collection of Scalextric cars. Honest.”

James May, Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Richard said: “As a serious collector of motorcycles, it’s important to review one’s stable regularly, and the Bonhams Stafford sale is the ideal opportunity to move bikes on and possibly acquire new ones. I also have a canoe, and some Wharfedale hi-fi speakers, if anyone’s interested.”

Included in the sale is Richard’s 2010 Norton Commando 961SE, which could fetch as much as £18,500, while James’s collection includes a 2010 Yamaha SR400, which could go for £12,000.

James May and Richard Hammond with Jeremy Clarkson on the set of Top Gear (Ellis O’Brien/BBC)

Ben Walker, Bonhams international head of motorcycles, said: “Jokes aside, James and Richard are offering for sale some great motorcycles from their collections, including examples of Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda and Norton.

“We expect the collection to attract a lot of attention.”

The sale is at the Staffordshire County Showground in Stafford on April 26.

James May and Richard Hammond 'didn't want to do Top Gear without Jeremy Clarkson'

Press Association — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 07:33:00 +0000

Jeremy Clarkson’s Top Gear co-hosts declined an offer to continue the rest of the series without him, according to reports.

James May and Richard Hammond 'didn’t want to do it without Jeremy' a BBC executive reportedly said.

An option to have the pair fronting the studio segments of the show for the remaining episodes of this series was rejected, the unnamed executive said.

How Top Gear could have looked without Jeremy Clarkson (Tim Ireland/PA)

Clarkson was suspended after allegedly punching producer Oisin Tymon during a row – which took place after filming – over a hot meal at a hotel.

The last episodes of the series have been postponed, causing the BBC to lose millions of viewers and receive thousands of complaints.

It is believed Clarkson and Tymon have now both given their evidence to the corporation’s inquiry into the 'fracas'

Hosts May and Hammond have tweeted about their time off in recent days.

Seriously, if you really are unemployed, good luck to you. It's not funny in reality.

— James May (@MrJamesMay) March 18, 2015

Dog Fog Job's in the … …holding pattern. Not trying to be cryptic, just enjoying a gorgeous morning. Off. pic.twitter.com/zM8IGyHTgk

— Richard Hammond (@RichardHammond) March 18, 2015

Richard Hammond returns to explain the scientific principles of stupidity!

Patrick McLennan — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 12:55:00 +0000

Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond returns with series two of The Science of Stupid (Nat Geo Channel, Wednesday, February 11), the show which entertainingly explains why those painfully funny stunts-gone-wrong videos on YouTube weren't such a good idea in the first place!

We caught up with Richard and asked him how daring he was and whether he was any good at science at school...

How were you with science at school?

"I loved it and hated it. I loved it because it explained how things worked, why things happen the way they do. I used to read a lot out of school. I used to read a magazine called How It Works which was all about machinery and basic physics. I always was interested in that, like most people. I have quite an enquiring mind. At school I was of an age when it was taught in quite a dry way and suddenly you find yourself in a room, in front of a wooden bench and trying to force facts into your head when they just keep falling out. It’s maybe a reaction against that, maybe why I’ve done a lot of pop science stuff, The Science of Stupid included."

But you did an art degree at college?

"Early on I very much enjoyed writing and painting and photography and I enjoyed science and engineering. I’m of an age when they were almost mutually exclusive [in education]. If you were interested in one you couldn’t do the other. I think Leonardo da Vinci would give the lie to that!"

The Science of Stupid features videos of a lot of people doing ridiculous things. But if people understood science, would the clips dry up?

"Well that’s the thing, this is season two, at the beginning of season one people were 'Hang on a minute Richard, you’re going to be encouraging people to injure themselves and jump bicycles!' I remember saying then 'Hang on, if you actually watch, what it’s actually doing is showing you exactly why you shouldn’t. The last thing you do if you watch Science of Stupid is then try and do anything you’ve seen there, because you’ve not only seen it hurts but you’ve seen why it went wrong and why it’s going to go wrong.

"So you’re actually right, we could have actually done us out of a market because people simply won’t try and do the things they would have done before. But hey that’s not such a bad thing."

What do you like most about The Science of Stupid?

"My favourite moments are always watching someone’s eyes and knowing in your head 'You think it’s going to go like this'... like punching a massive block of wood... You know in their mind they’re thinking it’s going to go one way then you see it go a completely different way and then you see a scientific explanation of exactly why and then, 'Oh look there’s someone else about to try and do it' and now you know you want to shout, 'Don’t do it because this is going to hurt!' ...Oh look they’ve done it. And that’s a feature that carries through it and I very much enjoy it."

You famously suffered a terrible high-speed dragster crash in 2006. Has that changed your attitude to stunts - and life itself?

"Not really. It was a lesson in something to be taken seriously. A lesson in that things can and do go wrong. It reinforced the idea you plan for what to do when things go wrong, that saved my life once and it's saved many other lives I’m sure. Um no, it hasn’t... It’s a reminder that it’s serious and you take things seriously, but then, once you’ve done that you get on with it."

So you're no more risk averse these days?

"I don’t think so, but I’m 45 so age maybe changes that a bit as well. You realise I’ve got two children [who] I want to raise. I don’t really want to go and hurt myself."

Do you ever say to Top Gear producers, 'No, that's too dangerous'?

"No, they never ask [you to endanger yourself]. That’s across the board in television, really, they’re pretty sensible. Because there’s a culpability chain, isn’t there? It’s going to be somebody’s fault if it goes wrong and you wouldn’t want to be that person. Nobody’s gung ho, not in my experience, because it’s not worth it, whatever you’re making."

What do you say to your daughters, Izzy and Willow?

"They love the show, but no I don’t set limits. I don’t have to – they’re both cleverer than me and wiser than me, they’re 14 and 11, and both of them I never shout at them or tell them not to because generally they know better than I do. No they both ride ponies and my eldest goes on the back of my motorcycle and rides the motocylce around the yard. They went on a big sailing holiday last year, with a load of other families and they tested the waters, excusing the pun, but they really do they learn their own limits and work within those... so far. They’re adventurous, but not reckless."

Watch a clip from series two of The Science of Stupid here

New Top Gear series to be premiered simultaneously in 50 countries

Press Association — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 15:04:00 +0000

Top Gear is to be given a global launch for its new series with a simultaneous broadcast in more than 50 countries.

The BBC show – once one of the most pirated programmes in the world – will be seen in locations across Australia, Africa and the Middle East at the same time as the programme is shown on BBC Two later this month.

A further 10 countries including Malaysia, Taiwan and Mongolia will screen the programme – starring Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond – within 24 hours of its UK debut on January 25.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7YDMt7jOfU&feature=oembed

Top Gear is one of the BBC’s biggest global moneyspinners, despite occasional controversies such as the row which erupted in Argentina during its Patagonia special, screened over Christmas.

The simulcast, which will take place mainly on the BBC’s international channels, is in addition to another global launch event which takes place this Sunday with the trio appearing in front of a live audience in London and broadcast around the world online.

The event, An Evening With Top Gear, will see the trio discuss the challenges of putting together the show and presenting clips from the forthcoming 22nd series. Absolute Radio breakfast host Christian O’Connell will quiz the presenters for Top Gear’s official YouTube channel from 9pm, as well as on the BBC website and on the red button.

(Matt Crossick/PA)

Clarkson said: “Other globally popular television shows have cunning ways of launching their new seasons such as world tours and the like, but I thought of an easier way to let the planet know we’re back – the interweb.

“Fond as I am of passport control queues and restricting my carry-on liquids to 100ml, I much preferred the idea of driving one mile from my home in London to celebrate this series with fans everywhere at the same time.”

Hammond jokingly acknowledged last year’s difficulties, which included stirring ill-feeling in Argentina when the production team took a Porsche with the number plate H982 FKL – thought to be a reference to the Falklands conflict in 1982, although the programme-makers have insisted it was a coincidence.

He said: “Even though this launch event means spending a Sunday evening with Jeremy, it’s important that we remind everyone that Top Gear is back, because I feel we’ve been starved of attention lately. I’m looking forward to talking to fans from around the world and finding out what exactly appeals to them about watching three middle-aged men repeatedly fall over.”

(BBC)

May said: “Using the internet to talk to our fans from around the world is a brilliant idea. It’s exactly what the internet is for. In fact, I’m not sure why I have to drive to a Victorian theatre and sit on an uncomfortable chair to do this. Someone hasn’t thought this through.”

The 10-week series will begin with the presenters heading across the Russian city of St Petersburg, with May driving a Renault, Hammond using a bike and Clarkson in a hovercraft. The Stig will use public transport.

Ed Sheeran will feature as the star in a reasonably priced car section of the show, doing a lap of the Top Gear track despite having no driving licence.

Top Gear: ‘I’d love another Arctic blast,’ says Richard Hammond

Alison Gardner — Sun, 13 Apr 2014 10:02:00 +0000

Richard Hammond has revealed he would like to return to the Arctic for a future Top Gear special.

The 44-year-old and his co-presenters Jeremy Clarkson and James May travelled from Resolute, Canada to the Magnetic North Pole in 2007 for the Polar Special in the ninth series of the BBC motoring show.

“I’d absolutely like to go back to an Arctic environment because I really enjoyed that because it was so physically challenging. I think there’s more to explore there,” Richard said, adding: “I’d also like to go to Mongolia. I've never been there.”

Richard, who hosts National Geographic Channel's new show Science Of Stupid, also enjoyed visiting Burma for the latest Top Gear special.

“It was absolutely staggering. What an amazing, amazing journey. It’s an incredible place,” he said.

“It’s been inaccessible for a very long time to a lot of people and we were very unusual sights. I haven’t been anywhere before where I have been such a stranger and that was a real privilege.”

The presenter admitted deciding where to shoot the specials was a logistics nightmare.

“We are a big unit. We work really hard on those specials every year and make sure we go somewhere interesting. Because we target unlikely places, we go up against new and different things so it can't be formulaic,” he explained.

With Top Gear in its 21st series and still a ratings winner, Richard said they are “staggered” by its success.

“We’re massively surprised on a daily basis by how many people watch it and how many different places it’s shown in. We just wanted to make a really good car show that we think is funny,” he said.

Science Of Stupid, National Geographic Channel, Wednesday.

– Press Association

BBC axes Richard Hammond's Secret Service

Patrick McLennan — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 09:46:00 +0000

Richard Hammond's prank TV show Secret Service has been dropped by the BBC after one series.

The broadcaster confirmed that a second season of the Saturday night programme, which sees the Top Gear presenter lead a team of "secret agents" who carry out missions for the public, will not be made.

A spokesman told The Sun that the show will not return to screens, but added: "We're talking to Richard about other projects."

It follows the axe of game show Total Wipeout in 2012 after six series.

Richard, also known as Hamster, made a triumphant return to screens with the 20th series of Top Gear alongside co-presenters Jeremy Clarkson and James May, which was watched by 4.7 million viewers.

"Thanks for kind comments on new #TopGear It only gets better from here. See y'all next sun," tweeted the 43-year-old.