TOP Gear star Richard Hammond has spoken for the first time about the breakdown of his 23-year marriage.
The 55-year-old opened up about his traumatic year following the death of his father and divorcing his wife Mindy.
Richard Hammond with his ex-wife Mindy[/caption]
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Richard said: “I’m 55. Things change. That’s what happens at this age. Big things change.”
‘Let’s get something out of the way straight away,’ the presenter says in the first episode of his new series of Richard Hammond’s Workshop.
“There has been a slight change in my circumstances recently. I got divorced. Which means I now live here.”
“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.”
Comparing the trauma of his divorce to his infamous car crash while filming BBC’s Top Gear in 2006, which left him in a two-week coma and suffering brain injuries, Richard said: “Whatever happens to us, we can decide. Maybe not in the moment: I didn’t decide, as the car was going over at 320mph ‘I’m going to make this a good thing’ but there came a moment when I thought, ‘right, my reaction to this is going to be positive’.
“That’s what you have to do. Well, it’s what I do.’
“I’ve always believed – and this sounds like therapy talk but it was my own thought – that nothing has happened to you until you react to it.
“It’s your reaction that defines it. Absolutely. You have total choice on that. I include my brain injury and the recovery afterwards.
“It’s your reaction that defines it. Absolutely. You have total choice on that. I include my brain injury and the recovery afterwards.”
The couple announced their marriage was over eight months ago – insisting no one else was involved.
However, insiders speculated it was Mindy who chose to call it quits.
In a statement, the couple said: “Our marriage is coming to an end, but we’ve had an amazing 28 years together and two incredible daughters… We will always be in each other’s lives and are proud of the family we created.”
Asked if it was Mindy’s choice to end their marriage, Richard replied: “In terms of that particular issue that’s a decision we took, as we said at the time. We put out a statement and it still stands.”
“It’s as I said in the show: “OK, that’s happened. Moving on.”’
Asked if he can see himself finding love again, Richard replied: “Oh, I don’t know. I haven’t got time.
“Right now I’m coming to the end of a series and then… that will be for me to think about.”
