Richard Hammond makes ‘catastrophic’ mental health admission amid split from wife of 28 years
Former Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond, 55, has candidly opened up about his “hideous traits” while discussing the “catastrophic” mental health toll of his career.
His candid statements come amid the split from his wife of 28 years, Mindy, earlier this month.
Informing fans on X, Hammond wrote on January 9: “A little update from us; this Christmas we were together as a family and this year we will still be a family but just structured a bit differently.
“Our marriage is coming to end, but we’ve had an amazing 28 years together and two incredible daughters. We will always be in each other’s lives and are proud of the family we created.”
The 55-year-old rounded off the statement by adding: “We won’t be commenting further and sincerely hope our privacy and that of our children will be respected at this time. With Love, Richard and Mindy,”
Hammond’s latest comments were made during a candid conversation on his podcast Who We Are Now, which he hosts with his daughter Izzy.
Speaking alongside guest Steve Jones, Hammond acknowledged developing what he called “hideous traits” throughout his 36-year career in television.
“As a bloke, keeping your head straight, managing your mental fitness. I think being a television presenter, especially a male one, is catastrophic,” Hammond revealed on the podcast.
“For 36 years my male ego has been rewarded for some of the worst traits we can exhibit,” he said during the podcast discussion.
The presenter went on to explain: “I’ve been encouraged to show off, I’ve been encouraged to believe that what I’m about to say is compelling enough to hold the attention of 365 million people that my questions are pertinent. It can be hideous.”
He then joked about his mental state, saying he was “perfect of course”, before adding in a wheezy voice: “Completely balanced and happy.”
During the podcast, Hammond made several self-deprecating comparisons to his guest Steve Jones, a former model turned F1 presenter.
“I was a TV presenter when you started presenting, I saw him and thought, ‘Oh b****r look at him, I mean look at him’. A bit of me was thinking, ‘Yeah, Welsh hunk, nobody has ever said, ‘Brummy hunk Richard Hammond’,” he admitted.
The comments prompted concern from his daughter Izzy, who asked: “Are you okay? Do you want to talk about it?”
Hammond later reflected: “Only because you can’t miss it when he walks in the room, it’s like, ‘Oh look at you we’re the same species’.”
His admissions come soon after he conceded he had been an “idiot” in a candid conversation on his YouTube channel DriveTribe – which he co-owns with Top Gear and Grand Tour alum Jeremy Clarkson and James May.
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The 55-year-old told an embarrassing anecdote where he locked himself out of his own house which made him late to filming.
“I took the kitchen bin out the front door – I never lock anything – but it’s a Yale lock, and the door stuck. I was stood outside, I was in my Crocs, I was in my dressing gown. I didn’t have my phone, the keys, anything.
“I thought about crying, but then I thought that won’t help. I felt about 10,” he conceded.
“In short, I’m late because I’m an idiot,” Hammond said matter-of-factly.