Richard Hammond has broken his silence on his new relationship following the end of his 23-year marriage to Mindy Hammond. The former Top Gear presenter publicly acknowledged having a girlfriend for the first time since the split was announced last year.
Richard Hammond Opens Up About New Love
In a column for The Telegraph, the 56-year-old television personality gave a glimpse into his changed home life. “Sometimes it’s just me; sometimes I’m with my girlfriend; sometimes friends are still around,” he wrote. “I’m perfectly happy with a quiet evening watching television.”
The comments mark the first time Richard has confirmed a new romantic partner since the breakdown of his marriage. Last year was particularly challenging for the motoring expert, as he lost his father Alan in February and announced his separation from Mindy in January.
A Year of Change
Richard and Mindy had been together for 28 years and married for 23. In a joint statement at the time, they stressed that no third party was involved and that they remained committed to their family. “Our marriage is coming to an end, but we’ve had an amazing 28 years together and two incredible daughters,” they said. “We will always be in each other’s lives and are proud of the family we created.”
The dad-of-two later addressed the split on the opening episode of Richard Hammond’s Workshop, speaking candidly about adjusting to life on his own. “There has been a slight change in my circumstances recently. I got divorced. Which means I now live here,” he told viewers. Describing his new home, he added: “I like it. It’s got amazing views, a place to keep some of my cars and bikes and best of all it’s closer to the workshop. I’m trying to put a silver lining on this. It’s been a tough few years, but it’s not all bad.”
Life After Divorce
When the couple first announced their separation, they shared a message on social media explaining their commitment to family. “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,” they wrote.
Richard, who was born in Solihull and raised in Yorkshire, first worked in local radio before finding fame alongside Jeremy Clarkson and James May on Top Gear and later The Grand Tour. He continues to run automotive restoration business The Smallest Cog and pursue projects linked to his passion for engineering.
Quiet Evenings and TV Favorites
Reflecting on his viewing habits, Richard told The Telegraph he recently enjoyed the TV show Landman, adding: “I loved Landman recently, that old-school, character-led storytelling really appeals to me.” He also spoke about his enthusiasm for engineering documentaries: “I have a soft spot for documentaries about engineering. I’d love to see more programmes about humans as engineers, about the thing itself rather than the presenter. I’m old school like that. I like standing next to something remarkable and explaining why it’s remarkable.”
Richard now lives in rural Wales, where he has embraced a quieter lifestyle while continuing to work on television and digital projects.
