Solihull-born television presenter Richard Hammond, now 56, is set to return to screens in a cameo role on the rebooted The Grand Tour, nearly 20 years after a near-fatal crash during a Top Gear segment left him in a two-week coma with a severe brain injury. The crash, which occurred at Elvington Airfield near York in 2006, remains a defining moment in his life and career, shaping both his personal struggles and his professional trajectory.
A Life-Changing Accident and Its Aftermath
Hammond was attempting to set a new British land speed record in a jet-powered Vampire dragster, travelling at nearly 320mph, when a sudden tyre failure caused the vehicle to flip and roll. The impact left him with a frontal lobe brain injury, requiring a medically induced coma for two weeks. In a 2014 interview with Radio Times, Hammond opened up about the mental toll: "It was a lot to deal with. I had a pretty tricky few years. The knock-on effects of the injury meant I was susceptible to depression, obsession, compulsion and paranoia, although I wasn't aware of that at the time. It gave me an unnatural platform from which to observe my own mental state, which was exhausting."
Despite the severity of the crash, Hammond made a remarkable recovery and continued his career, becoming a beloved figure on Top Gear and later The Grand Tour alongside Jeremy Clarkson and James May. His resilience has been a source of inspiration for many fans.
Personal Life: New Relationship and Family
In his personal life, Hammond is currently in a relationship with Keira Glen, a therapist and former teacher. The couple were first seen publicly together in September 2025, around nine months after Hammond and his ex-wife, journalist Mindy Etheridge, announced their split. Hammond and Etheridge had been married for 23 years and share two adult daughters, Izzy and Willow. Glen, 53, also has two grown-up daughters from a previous relationship.
Hammond's life has also seen significant financial success. His net worth is estimated at around £37 million, accumulated through his lengthy television career on shows like Top Gear and The Grand Tour, as well as his own production company, Chimp Productions, and other business ventures. He also owns a £2 million six-bedroom Georgian manor house near Abergavenny, Wales.
Return to Screens with The Grand Tour Reboot
Fans will soon see Hammond back on their screens as The Grand Tour returns with a reboot, featuring new hosts Thomas Holland, James Engelsman, and Francis Bourgeois. Hammond, along with Clarkson and May, will make cameo appearances to ease Prime Video viewers into the new series. The show is scheduled to premiere on Friday, September 4.
Hammond's journey from his childhood in Solihull, near Birmingham, where he was born on December 19, 1969, to his family's relocation to Ripon, North Yorkshire, in the mid-1980s, has been marked by both triumph and adversity. As he steps back into the spotlight, his story continues to captivate audiences, demonstrating his enduring appeal and resilience in the face of life-altering challenges.
