Richard Hammond: I can't control my emotions

Top Gear star says he’s still on the mend after jet car crash in 2006

Monday, 25 February 2008

Richard Hammond has revealed that he still hasn’t fully recovered from his high-speed smash in September 2006.

The Top Gear host suffered major trauma to his brain when he overturned a jet car at 288mph at Elvington Airfield, York.

Though he was back at work within 4 months, Richard, 38, says he finds it hard to make sense of his feelings.

‘I realise there’s a lot more to fix than I thought,’ he explains in a Sunday Times interview. ‘I damaged all the complicated bits of the brain to do with processing and emotional control.

'I was prey to every single emotion that swept over me and I couldn’t deal with it. It’s been a bloody long journey and it’s still going. I’m still on the mend.’

Richard also admits he’s prone to memory loss and has difficulty with spatial awareness.

This means he has trouble parking.

Richard Hammond to thank life-saving medics with £20,000 party>>
Richard Hammond has a second high-speed crash>>
Richard Hammond drives again>>
Richard Hammond: Lego saved my life>>
BBC to screen Richard Hammond crash>>
Richard Hammond moved to hospital closer to home>>
Richard Hammond takes first steps>
Jeremy Clarkson lifts Richard Hammond's spirits>>
Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond's condition is 'improving'>>