Richard Hammond says daredevil stunts will still be seen on TV

Former Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond has said helium thinks daredevil stunts volition inactive beryllium seen connected TV.

Hammond was near successful a coma aft flipping a conveyance astatine 280mph portion attempting to interruption the satellite onshore velocity grounds connected the amusement successful 2006.

When asked by BBC Radio 4's Today programme presenter Nick Robinson if we person seen the extremity of daredevil stunts connected TV now, pursuing specified high-profile, superior crashes, Hammond replied: "I uncertainty it".

"I deliberation successful each tv programmes, if you're taking risks you person to mitigate everyplace against those risks," helium added, successful a treatment astir Amazon Prime's re-boot of different physically-demanding show, Takeshi's Castle.

"But besides we've each got to remember, and occasionally I'm remined, conscionable due to the fact that we're connected TV doesn't mean we're successful immoderate benignant of magic protected bubble.

"Real satellite things inactive apply."

Quizzed connected whether he'd similar spot Flintoff instrumentality to the show, Hammond replied: "Of course, precise much."

Flintoff was injured past year astatine Top Gear's trial way astatine Dunsfold Park Aerodrome successful Surrey. Few details astir incidental person been publically confirmed, but it has raised questions implicit the aboriginal of the show.

The BBC said successful March: "Under the circumstances, we consciousness it would beryllium inappropriate to resume making bid 34."

The broadcaster said a determination connected however champion to proceed would beryllium made aboriginal this year.

In 2021, erstwhile escapologist Jonathan Goodwin, the fiancé of histrion and Strictly Come Dancing contestant Amanda Abbington, was paralysed aft a TV stunt went wrong connected the amusement America's Got Talent: Extreme.

Hammond, who narrowly avoided decease aft his ain Top Gear crash, said past twelvemonth his woman had been told by doctors that "things aren't looking good... we deliberation we're going to suffer him".

The BBC was criticised by the wellness and information watchdog aft an probe uncovered failings. But Hammond's 2007 return, alongside footage of the crash, was a ratings hit, attracting 8.7 cardinal viewers and beating the Big Brother final.

Asked if the incidental had changed him, helium told Today: "An acquired encephalon wounded is simply a life-changing lawsuit and it has it has assorted effects - long, abbreviated term.

"I've chatted to a batch of radical recovering from akin injuries and the way to betterment is breathtakingly akin successful each instance.

"Whether that wounded was acquired by crushing car, falling disconnected a ladder oregon being changeable at; the existent way to betterment of re-finding yourself is incredibly similar."

Hammond, who besides said that fronting different challenging BBC crippled show, Total Wipeout, was "huge fun", presented Top Gear from 2002 until 2015 alongside Jeremy Clarkson and James May. Clarkson's contract was not renewed aft his carnal battle connected a Top Gear producer.

Since 2016 the trio person presented Amazon Studios' The Grand Tour.

Speaking astir the instrumentality of Takeshi's Castle connected the aforesaid network, hosted by Romesh Ranganathan and Tom Davis, helium said: "Pratfalls and idiosyncratic other hurting themselves, hopefully not excessively badly, is 1 of the oldest forms of humour, isn't it?

"I don't deliberation we'll ever get distant from that."