Richard Hammond discusses future filming of The Grand Tour
The Grand Tour host Richard Hammond, 51, said he had to sell his motorcycle after his credit card was declined as it had reached its full amount. At the time, the presenter said he had a radio job which didn’t pay well and he lived in bedsits across the UK.
I was always in debt for some stupid motorcycle I’d bought on a loan.
Richard Hammond
Recalling the financial struggles he faced, he explained: “When I was working in local radio, that’s not a particularly well-paid job, particularly if you’re a massive fan of cars and motorcycles as I was. So I was always in debt for some stupid motorcycle I’d bought on a loan.”
The father-of-two added he was living in “little downstairs front room bedsits” in various areas including Carlisle and Leeds.
Richard said at this time he was “beyond broke”.
He went on to say: “The day arrived when I went to Quicksavers, which was a supermarket in Clitheroe, where I was living at the time – to buy my food for the week.
READ MORE: Janette Manrara asks fans for advice ahead of Morning Live
We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.
“My credit card was refused because it was full, and I thought, ‘Well, that’s that. That’s literally it, there is nothing more’.”
The car enthusiast swiftly made the decision to sell his motorcycle to whoever offered him the highest amount for it.
Richard added on the Andy Jaye podcast: “I opened the door and rode the bike to Accrington, and rode round all the dealers and sold it to the one that gave me the most money for it, and then walked home to Clitheroe with the cash for loo roll.”
Despite his previous struggles, the presenter is now believed to have a net worth of £33million.
It is reported that during his days on radio, he was encouraged to get into into motoring reviews on television by motoring journalist Zogg Zieglar.
He is best known for co-hosting the BBC Two car programme Top Gear from 2002 until 2015 with Jeremy Clarkson and James May.
Following Jeremy’s fight with a producer, the trio moved to Amazon and now front their show The Grand Tour.
Richard also currently has his own show The Great Escapists on the network with Mythbusters star Tory Belleci.
DON’T MISS…
Richard and Judy’s daughter Chloe says their marriage ‘isn’t normal’ [ADMISSION]
Andrea McLean: Loose Women star issues plea after husband mocks her [REVEALED]
Laura Hamilton’s husband voices concern for her after ‘hard’ morning [INSTAGRAM]
The pair recently spoke to press including Express.co.uk about their adventure, which sees them putting their survival skills to the test on desert island.
At one point in the show, fans see the duo building a car out of wood and making glass to build a lighthouse in an attempt to attract passing ships.
Reflecting on their time together, Richard said working on the show had been “refreshing” and the “most exciting show” he had worked on in his broadcasting career.
He said: “It’s really refreshing when somebody has the faith and confidence to let us just get on with it.
“In 30 years of broadcasting, it’s been the most exciting journey I’ve ever been on because from day one I looked around and thought, ‘Everyone around me is good at their job, and that’s why they’re here’.”
On working with his new co-star Tory, he added he believes the duo will be “friends for life”.
“We are so similar, it’s ridiculous,” he admitted.
In his personal life, Richard has been married to wife Mindy since 2002 and they share two daughters together.
He added he has been enjoying a break from his career in lockdown and spending time with his family.
Source: Read Full Article
