Richard Hammond 'scared' brain injury will lead to dementia
Former host of The Grand Tour Richard Hammond has confessed he's "scared" the brain injury he suffered in a 2006 car stunt will lead to dementia and he panics every time he loses his keys.
Richard Hammond is "scared" the brain injury he suffered in a 2006 will lead to dementia.
The former Grand Tour presenter, 56, suffered horrifying injuries when he was involved in a near-fatal accident while filming BBC show Top Gear when he crashed a jet-powered dragster at high speed. Hammond spent two weeks in a coma but went on to make a good recovery, but now 20 years on the TV presenter admits he panics every time he loses his keys because he's so worried the injuries he suffered will eventually lead to a rapid mental decline.
He told The Sunday Times newspaper: "Brain-wise, yeah. I mean, I worry. I’m scared. Of course. That was a big impact. Will it lead to onset of dementia?
"I don’t know. Every time I lose my keys, and I do lose things, I think: 'Oh Christ, is that brain injury, or is that just I’m 56? And we all do it'.
"So yeah, there is a legacy from that. I will carry that for ever."
Hammond also has "13 pins" and a metal plate in his left knee following a crash while filming The Grand Tour in 2017 and he told the publication he will need another operation on it in future but he's hoping to put it off for as long as possible.
He's currently embracing a healthy new lifestyle since moving to Monmouthshire in Wales and he credits his new girlfriend Keira Glen with encouraging him to do more exercise.
Hammond said: "It’s [the new relationship is] the best thing that’s going on for me. I played golf three times this week. I’ve taken up more serious running, and I’m going to have a go at a small triathlon next year. Which means I’ve had to take up wild swimming."
He explained Keira managed to convince him to go cold water swimming during a recent trip to the Lake District, adding: "My partner took one look at the lake, clapped her hands, and said: 'Oh, darling, doesn’t it just make you want to get in?'
"'No, I spent 40 years avoiding it'. But sure enough, the next day, both of us are in wetsuits, swimming. And I absolutely loved it."
Hammond bought his new house following the collapse of his marriage to wife Mindy in 2025 and the TV star is enjoying walking around the countryside.
He said: "I haven’t lived within walking distance of a town for 25 years, and it’s absolutely wonderful. So, in 20 minutes’ walk, I can be in the centre of town having a nice coffee.
"Or in an hour and 20 minutes, I’m on the top of Sugar Loaf mountain, with the most unbelievable views across beautiful countryside."
