Richard Hammond was left in a two-week coma after filming a Top Gear episode almost 20 years ago.

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Richard Hammond will once again be Jeremy Clarkson’s right-hand man as they reunite for The Grand Tour reboot.

Richard, Jeremy and James May are going to feature in the upcoming new series of The Grand Tour on Prime Video to help hand over the baton to the new line-up of hosts.

But before the trio returns for the new series which lands on Friday, September 4, here’s all there is to know about former Top Gear star Richard Hammond.

Richard Hammond girlfriend

Richard Hammond is now in a relationship with therapist and ex-teacher Keira Glen.

He was first seen publicly with the 53-year-old at an event in September 2025, around nine months after Hammond and his ex-wife announced their separation.

The Grand Tour host was married to journalist Mindy Etheridge for 23 years and share two adult daughters, Izzy and Willow. It’s been reported that Keira also has two grown-up daughters in their 20s.

Richard Hammond accident

Back in 2006, Hammond was filming an episode of Top Gear at Elvington Airfield near York, attempting to break the British land speed record in a jet-powered Vampire dragster.

He was driving at almost 320mph when a tire failure caused the vehicle to flip and roll, leaving him with a life-threatening frontal lobe brain injury. On his podcast Who We Are Now, he said: “I was conscious throughout the whole thing.

“The only thing that really sticks in my mind was the noise because of the impact of a car hitting concrete and that’s the thing that actually like rattled my brain.

“I was completely calm, I’d done everything I could do.

“I’ve pulled the parachute, I’d steered, braked, it was going upside down, there’s no roof and I thought ‘Oh, checking out now’.

“No panic at that point, panic had gone, I’d done everything.”

Hammond was in a medically induced coma for two weeks before he woke up. Speaking to Radio Times in 2014, he spoke of the impact the crash had on him, including losing the “ability to connect emotionally.”

“It was a lot to deal with. I had a pretty tricky few years. The knock-on effects of the injury meant I was susceptible to depression, obsession, compulsion and paranoia, although I wasn’t aware of that at the time.

“It gave me an unnatural platform from which to observe my own mental state, which was exhausting.”

How old is Richard Hammond?

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Richard Hammond is 56-years-old, born on December 19, 1969, in Solihull near Birmingham, before his family moved to Ripon, North Yorkshire, in the mid 1980s.

He now lives in a six-bedroom Georgian manor house near Abergavenny, Wales, which he purchased for around £2 million earlier this year.

Richard Hammond net worth

It has been widely reported that Richard Hammond has an estimated net worth of around £37 million.

This comes from his lifelong television career, working on hit shows like Top Gear and The Grand Tour, as well as through his own production company Chimp Productions and other business ventures.

Tui revealed it suffered a hit of 81 million euro (£69.2 million) in the nine months of its financial year so far from the Iran war and hurricanes in Jamaica, including an extra 20 million euro (£17.1 million) “direct” impact from the Middle East conflict on its cruises arm during the third quarter.

The call comes as the Government looks at ways to create more space in prisons so serious offenders can serve more of their sentences.

Pc Harper was fatally injured in 2019 after becoming caught in a strap attached to the back of a car while responding to a quad bike theft.

Andy Burnham, Prime Minister, said in relation to Harper’s sister: “That I hear you, I feel for you. I wouldn’t forgive myself if I didn’t do everything I possibly could to try and lessen your anguish, and I am doing that.

“I am turning over every stone. I am looking at everything. I am pushing the system to go further.”

Pc Harper’s sister, Aimee Harper, had spoken publicly about her experience of sitting in court with the men convicted over her brother’s death.

Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole are due to be released next year after receiving 13-year sentences for manslaughter in 2020.

The policing leaders, including Mr Watson, have also called for an additional public protection safeguard for the most serious offenders.

The letter says victims and families must be properly considered when major changes are made to sentencing or release arrangements.

Mr Burnham said: “I’m not making comments today in a knee jerk way because I wouldn’t raise false hope of people.

“I’m doing it in a considered way, having looked in detail at the situation, having considered a range of advice.”

The Government has already changed early release rules to prevent rapists and paedophiles being released early, but those changes did not cover Pc Harper’s killers.

The Prime Minister has pointed to returning foreign national offenders and dealing with people serving Imprisonment for Public Protection sentences as ways of creating additional prison space.

He said he was “increasingly confident” that more serious offenders could serve their full sentences as a result.

Mr Burnham added: “I am confident that we can develop a plan to free up more spaces in the prison estate, so that we can ensure more serious offenders serve their full term.”

He had previously said he had “pushed the very limits” of the changes made to the early release system.

Mr Burnham has now indicated that further action could be possible as pressure grows over Pc Harper’s killers.

The venues would reopen as value-oriented pubs after being sold by Whitbread, the owner of the Beefeater and Brewers Fayre chains.

The sites, alongside Bar + Block, Table Table and Cookhouse + Pub restaurants, are all set to close in the coming weeks as part of a major restructuring plan.

However, out of 261 sites earmarked for closure, 53 have been sold to Queensway Inns, who plan to relaunch them as a new chain.

106 Beefeater sites are due to close in the coming weeks (Image: Getty Images)

Beefeater and Brewers Fayre sites could be rebranded

A Whitbread spokesperson told Newsquest: “Whitbread has reached an agreement for the conditional sale of 53 branded restaurant sites to Queensway Inns, subject to a number of final conditions being met.

“Queensway Inns has extensive experience operating hospitality businesses across the UK and intends to operate the sites as going concerns.

“Subject to completion of the sale and following the relevant TUPE information and consultation processes, around 900 team members could transfer and will be supported through the process.”

The 53 sites are reportedly a mix of all Whitbread brands earmarked for closure, with some Beefeater and Brewers Fayre sites potentially being saved.

The future of the remaining 208 restaurant sites remains uncertain.

Queensway plans to rebrand and relaunch the sites as affordable pubs, but the new brand name, menu pricing, and reopening dates have not been confirmed.

Queensway has been contacted for comment.

When are Beefeater and Brewers Fayre closing?

It is all part of Whitbread’s wider Accelerating Growth Plan, which aims to expand its Premier Inn hotels by adding 3,600 new rooms through restaurant conversions.

This programme involves closing or repurposing all remaining branded restaurants by mid-September.

Closures will begin on September 3, with a combined 66 Bar + Block, Table Table, and Cookhouse + Pub sites shutting.

Brewers Fayre will close all 89 of its sites on September 7, marking the end of a brand that has operated for 45 years.

Beefeater, a longstanding favourite for family dining and steakhouse meals, will close all 106 locations on September 10.

Customers are advised to redeem any reward points by August 31.

Whitbread CEO Dominic Paul said the restructure was necessary due to mounting costs, including increased National Insurance and business rates sparked by then Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

The group aims to raise £1.5 billion by selling freehold property to fund future growth.

The overhaul is expected to result in 3,800 job losses, but Whitbread has said that it will look to support colleagues affected.

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A Whitbread spokesperson said previously: “The proposed sale represents further progress against Whitbread’s Accelerating Growth Plan, first announced in April 2024.

“In April 2026 Whitbread announced a proposal to extend the programme to include all remaining branded restaurants and add a total of 3,600 new hotel extension rooms in locations with strong demand, whilst continuing to offer a great breakfast, dinner and drinks nationwide through the creation of new Premier Inn restaurants inside all hotels.

“This mirrors the format which is already in operation in over half of Premier Inn hotels and is highly popular with hotel guests.”

Is one of the potential rebrands near you? Let us know what you think about the plans in the comments.

The acclaimed WWI film 1917 has been called a ‘cinematic masterpiece’ by fans and yet the storyline is ‘haunting’ and real

Inspired by the deeply personal stories of a family member who survived the first world war, this epic war film is being called “one of the most important of our generation”.

The British war film has been placed firmly amongst some of the all-time greats of the genre, and yet it all began with the real life experiences of Alfred H. Mendes, who served as a Lance Corporal and messenger for the British Army on the Western Front.

1917 is a film that is set in that very year, directed by Sam Mendes, who also co-wrote the project, after hearing the haunting tales of his Grandfather’s time spent in the first world war. It’s those real and gritty stories that fundamentally shaped the film, and many viewers have praised it for being a true reflection of events.

The story follows the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line during Operation Alberich, and two British soldiers at the heart of it all. They were entrusted with a vital mission to deliver a message which would halter an offensive attack, and the film builds up to this critical moment, to see if the message makes it in time.

The intensity of the situation is portrayed throughout the film, and is what made it a ‘haunting’ watch for viewers. One Rotten Tomatoes review reads: ” This was a great movie from start to finish, it has one of the greatest scenes ever in cinema which is Lance Corporal Schofield running through the battlefield to delivering the message to stop the battle.”

They added: “It’s truly heart pounding to see movies like this, you can’t beat it.”

The film has garnered widespread acclaim for its special effects, sound design and much more, earning itself 10 Oscar nominations upon release. Ultimately, it claimed the awards for Best Cinematography, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Visual Effects — accolades that fans cherish as they rightfully crown it a ‘masterpiece’.

These weren’t the only awards it landed that season, Mende’s captivating story went on to win seven BAFTA Awards and two Golden Globe Awards, solidifying itself as a modern classic of the genre.

The acclaim isn’t solely reserved for the film’s stunning visual style, however, as the cast has earned richly deserved recognition for bringing this deeply moving story to life. The ensemble includes George MacKay, Andrew Scott, Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch and Richard Madden.

All of these elements combined is what make it, what many consider to be ‘essentially viewing’, whether you’re a fan of the genre, interested by the history or not. Holding 1917 in such high regard, one person shared: “One of the best war movies ever made.

“I’ve watched this movie probably 20 times now and it never ceases to amaze me. This is one of the most important movies of our generation and I think everyone should watch it.”

A crucial aspect of the film that gives the entire picture an extraordinarily “immersive” quality, is the fact it blends seamlessly to seem as though its all in one long take. Many even say this made them feel as though they were experiencing it all, like the characters themselves.

A review reads: “1917 is one of those movies that completely pulls you in the way it’s filmed makes you feel like you’re right there with the soldiers, and every minute feels intense it’s not just about war it’s about courage, sacrifice, and the determination to save lives against impossible odds definitely one of the most immersive war films I have seen.”

On the review platform Rotten Tomatoes, it boasts an impressive score of 88%, and it’s plain to see that viewers simply cannot resist returning to it for a rewatch, or 20.

The acclaimed British war epic that is 1917 is available to watch right now on both Netflix and Amazon Prime.

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Stassi Schroeder’s new show has finally premiered in the UK with those who have already binged it calling it ‘perfection’

Where can I watch House of Stassi in the UK?

1. Reality TV fans have been calling new series House of Stassi absolute ‘perfection’ in the wake of its release stateside. Now fans in the UK finally get to binge-watch the controversial comeback show.
2. The series follows Stassi Schroeder, the former Vanderpump Rules star who was famously sacked from the show in 2020 alongside Kristen Doute. They were fired after calling police on black co-star Faith Stowers for a crime she didn’t commit, and both have since issued lengthy apologies.
3. The meta-docuseries premiered on Freeform before hitting Hulu, showing Stassi’s return to TV with her loved ones. The official synopsis promises that “as cameras roll and truths surface, her closest relationships are put to the test.”
4. All eight episodes are available on Hulu in the US, and UK viewers can stream it from today (August 12) via Disney+. Early reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with one fan saying: “I’m on episode five and I can’t stop watching – it’s very entertaining.”
5. Another viewer praised the finale, calling it “exactly what reality TV should be” and noting the cliffhanger ending was “the perfect set-up for Disney to order more episodes.” Fans are already demanding more episodes, with one declaring: “I need a million more episodes.”

READ THE FULL STORY: Reality fans demand ‘a million more episodes’ as ‘perfection’ show lands

The Telegraph has released a list of the 13 best castle hotels found across England, with the Swinton Park Hotel making it onto the list.

The castle hotel is surrounded by 20,000 acres of “breath-taking countryside” close to the Yorkshire Dales.

Whether you want a completely relaxing escape or need some activities to keep you busy, the Swinton Park Hotel offers both.

What is the Swinton Park Hotel like?

On the hotel, The Telegraph said: “This ivy-cloaked Baronial pile, with turrets, castellated parapets and a monumental entrance tower, looks like a castle; in truth, it’s largely Victorian embellishments (by a Bradford wool merchant whose descendants still own the house and estate) of a 17th- and 18th-century core.

“Inside, it’s old-school, English stately home with claret-walled corridors hung with gilt-framed portraits, massive windows draped with pelmeted curtains, and high-ceilinged rooms of numerous sofas and low tables.

“By contrast, the new spa and Terrace Restaurant (in a separate block) are worlds apart; light, fresh, sleek.”

The hotel has multiple restaurants and cafés on site. (Image: Tripadvisor)

There are a few different places you can stay at while in the hotel, from cottages and yurts to the main hotel with rooms decorated with antiques and family portraits.

There are several restaurants and cafés on the estate, including the Terrace Restaurant and Bar, Samuel’s Restaurant, and the Chef’s Table.

You can enjoy an afternoon tea at the Drawing Room or a lunch at the Swinton Bivouac Café.

To spend time around the pool or enjoy some spa treatments, you can head to the Swinton Country Club during your stay.

There are plenty of other activities as well, from wild swimming, archery, and cycling to escape rooms, axe throwing, and cookery courses.

What do guests of the Swinton Park Hotel say about their stay?

One reviewer on Tripadvisor said: “An incredible gem, we are frequent visitors, and will keep returning to this gorgeous hotel in the future!”

Another reviewer said: “We had a wonderful afternoon tea at Swinton Park.

“The drawing room setting is elegant, with stunning grounds that make the whole experience feel really special.

“The selection of sandwiches, mini quiche, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, and delicious cakes were excellent, and everything was beautifully presented.

“Gay and Chris who served our tea were friendly, attentive, and made us feel very welcome without being intrusive.

“A nice birthday treat in a relaxing setting.

“Highly recommended.”

Have you ever stayed at the Swinton Park Hotel? Let us know in the comments.

Participants took part in a colourful celebration march through Hamilton town centre

Hamilton staged a colourful celebration as thousands of visitors arrived in the town centre for the annual Lanarkshire Pride festival.

A host of entertainers took to the stage on Quarry Street for a busy day of festivities and hundreds of groups took part in the centrepiece march around the town centre.

Organisers called it “a fantastic celebration of community, visibility and belonging” and said of the day: “We estimate that around 10,000 people passed through, making it one of the largest free-to-attend events in the town centre.”

Now in its fourth year, Lanarkshire Pride saw visitors enjoy stalls, attractions and an entertainment programme featuring a host of singers and tribute acts, headlined by RuPaul’s Drag Race star Cheryl The Queen.

The focal point of the day was the parade through the town centre, with organisations and individuals joining forces for the Pride march along Cadzow Street and Almada Street before returning back to the Quarry Street main stage.

It concluded with speeches from members of the local Pride Connect group and the headline performance; and event organisers Lanarkshire Pride CIC thanked all those who took part, praising the “fantastic turnout” and the contribution of participants, performers, sponsors and volunteers.

A spokesperson for Lanarkshire Pride told the Hamilton Advertiser: “Seeing so many people come together in Hamilton was a powerful reminder of why Pride continues to matter.

“Inequality and intolerance still exist, but so do community, solidarity and determination. Pride is about bringing people together, celebrating who we are and showing that everyone deserves to feel safe, supported and valued in their community.

“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who came along and helped make the day such a positive celebration of Lanarkshire’s LGBTQ+ community.”

The organisation also runs a busy calendar of activities including its weekly Pride Connect groups for young people and adults.

Its sessions in the Regent Centre resume this week, with the youth group for 16- to 24-year-olds meeting on Saturday, August 15 from 12.30-3.30pm; with the adult group for those aged 25 and over meeting on Monday, August 17, from 10.30am-12.30pm.

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Sophie Shambley was pronounced dead at the scene after her body was found on the tracks of Bryn Railway Station days before Christmas last year

A mother of two sent a series of deeply distressing messages to her family in the moments before her death, an inquest has heard.

Sophie Shambley, 38, was found dead on the railway tracks at Bryn Railway Station on December 19 2025, just days before Christmas. Her death was examined at Bolton Coroners Court on Monday (August 10), where her husband, Shaun, and her parents,

Joanne McGarrigan and Adrian Roscoe, sat alongside other relatives as the circumstances were formally explored, the Manchester Evening News reports. Representatives from the British Transport Police, North West Ambulance Service, the NHS and Network Rail were also present.

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The hearing was told Sophie had experienced mental health difficulties stretching back to 2013 when she received a diagnosis of depression and anxiety.

The mother of two had battled postnatal depression following the births of both her children and during a period of her life was estranged from her family.

“She always said that she only had one good week a month,” her husband Shaun informed the hearing. The court additionally heard about several challenges in her life that led her to seek support. It emerged that in the days preceding her death, Sophie had lost two grandparents.

Reflecting on how the family bereavements affected his daughter, Sophie’s father Adrian Roscoe told the court: “They affected her, but I think there was other things going on in her life as well, but she didn’t show everything. I think there was an accumulation of things,” Mr Roscoe added. “She found it difficult with Sean working away.”

Despite this, the court was told that Sophie, from Ashton-in-Makerfield, would frequently take ‘active steps’ to tackle her difficulties. When questioned about whether Sophie had ever displayed any suicidal thoughts, Mr Shambley replied that she had not, and spoke warmly of her devotion to her children.

“She was always scared of death,” he said. “She had the kids and she loved the kids. I think if she said that to me, I would have got her help straight away.”

Her GP, Dr Sakir Patel, outlined Sophie’s comprehensive medical history, which demonstrated that the former administrator would routinely seek support whenever she required it.

He informed the court that in 2017 she relocated to Gran Canaria with her family, and upon returning in 2020, requested additional medication.

By 2024, she had ‘stopped drinking altogether’ and was known to ‘engage’ with a drug, alcohol, and mental health support charity for nine months, during which she made ‘significant progress’.

Dr Patel, who characterised her suicidal thoughts as ‘fleeting’, noted that Sophie consistently maintained contact with NHS services regarding the level of support she required. In December 2025, the month of her passing, Dr Patel stated there were ‘no concerns’ regarding Sophie’s mental wellbeing.

The inquest heard details of Sophie’s final hours. Shaun recounted to the court how the family enjoyed a ‘good’ day purchasing a turkey for a Christmas meal Sophie had been planning.

Later that evening, while speaking on the phone with her mother-in-law, Sophie remarked ‘she did not deserve’ her husband, the hearing was told.

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Her mother-in-law subsequently contacted Shaun, who conversed with her for an hour in the rear garden. He informed the court that upon re-entering the house, he discovered Sophie was no longer there.

The hearing was told how the father-of-two consulted a GPS application called ‘Life360’ which indicated Sophie’s location as being on the tracks at Bryn Railway Station. The court was informed that Sophie had sent text messages to her mother, children and husband.

The message to her mother stated ‘Good night, mum’ at 5.30pm, which Joanne characterised as ‘unusual’. Sophie left a message to her child’s phone which read: “Daddy will look after you now. Good night darling.”

And to her husband, she said: “Tell the kids I love them so much and you”. Sophie’s cause of death was determined as polytrauma, with coroner Stephen Teasdale concluding suicide.

When life is difficult, Samaritans are available day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.

Swimming pools and car washes are among the UK businesses that could be hit by a water ban as providers look to conserve resources amid drought conditions and an upcoming fifth heatwave.

Southern Water has applied to the government for permission to issue a “non-essential use ban” in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. If granted and put into action, the policy would prevent businesses from activities like washing cars with hosepipes and filling private swimming pools.

It comes as almost three-quarters of England and all of Wales have been plunged into drought.

Temperatures are set to soar to as high as 38C this week as parts of the country face their fifth heatwave this summer.

A Southern Water spokesperson confirmed it had applied for a drought order and a non-essential use ban as a precaution, but that it does not currently plan to enact the measures.

“This isn’t a choice between protecting the river and supplying customers,” they said.

“We have to do both. The drought order process helps ensure we can maintain essential water supplies during an exceptional drought, while operating within a regulatory framework designed to balance environmental protection with the needs of the communities that rely on the river test.”

Almost three-quarters of England is now suffering from drought as weather conditions continue to worsen into August, piling pressure on vital industries.

The East Midlands, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, Kent and East Sussex, and Solent and the South Downs moved into drought status on Monday, bringing the total number of people affected up to 45 million as a fifth heatwave of the summer sweeps through England and Wales.

It means that more than 71 per cent of England is now experiencing a “flash drought”, after drought was declared across East Anglia, Hertfordshire and London, Thames Valley, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Devon and Cornwall, the west Midlands, and Wessex on 29 July.

“Flash drought” has a rapid onset or is intensified very quickly. It is brought about by low levels of rain and abnormally high temperatures.

Some 27 million people are currently living under restrictions on water use, with millions under hosepipe bans, including all South East Water and Thames Water customers.

A non-essential use ban comes as part of the next level of drought restriction that applies to business and commercial activities that use large amounts of water but aren’t considered essential.

There is no specific date set for the hosepipe bans to end, but water companies have explained that it will be lifted once water sources have recovered back to normal levels.

Southern Water has previously said it needs enough water in reservoirs, rivers and underground aquifers to meet demand before it can lift the ban.

Met Office science manager Dr Amy Doherty described July as a “truly remarkable month” in the UK’s climate record.

“The combination of record-breaking dryness, exceptional warmth and unprecedented sunshine has delivered one of the most notable summer months in our historical records,” she said.

Last summer, the government granted two drought orders during a season which saw four heatwaves and the driest August for England since 2003.