Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond.
Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson's pint-sized off-sider first appeared on the show in 2002 and is known as Hamster by Clarkson and fellow presenter James May.
The affable and normally restrained Richard Hammond leapt to global fame when he was caught on film crashing a jet-powered car at
464km/h. The accident in 2006 nearly killed him, but despite some brain trauma, he got back in front of the camera in early 2007.
"The Live show is everything you see on Top Gear all happening live right in front of your eyes in an auditorium - the challenges, the races, the stupidity and the teasing," said Hammond.
"We are well-known for our stunts going wrong and when that happens live it's more exciting. There's really not that much science that's gone into the planning."
The self-confessed car nut said joining Top Gear was like a dream come true. He owns 12 cars, including a Land Rover, a Dodge Charger and his favoured Porsche 911.
The award-winning presenter brings an easy charm to the show, enhanced with a gentle and often self-mocking wit.
He is not new to television, having presented motoring shows Motorweek, Kits n' Cruising and Better Cars in the 1990s as well as appearing on Livetime and Home and Garden.
But it's Top Gear that he loves most, and after his brush with death he has a different spin on life. Along with wife Mindy he co-wrote a book about the big crash and the length of time it took to get his brain back to full working order.
Hammond is looking forward to working with our local talent, Greg Murphy, and can't wait to give him a gentle ribbing.
"Teasing is what makes the whole show work," he said.
