Richard Hammond still wearing his wedding ring as he’s seen for first time since revealing marriage of 23 years is over
RICHARD Hammond has been seen for the first time since revealing his 23 year marriage is over.
The Top Gear host, 55, and wife Mindy, 58, made the announcment on social media this week.
Today Richard was seen still wearing his wedding ring as he was snapped in the car while heading to work.
The presenter appeared downcast after the announcement that his 28-year relationship to Mindy is over.
Richard and Mindy – who share daughters Izzy, 24, and Willow, 22 – shared a statement on social media yesterday.
It read: “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.
“Our marriage is coming to 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.
“We won’t be commenting further and sincerely hope that our privacy and that of our children will be respected at this time. With Love, Richard and Mindy.”
The Sun later revealed it was newspaper columnist Mindy who initiated the divorce.
It is believed Mindy is asking to keep their £7million Bollitree Castle estate, in Herefordshire, as they draw up divorce settlements.
A source said: “Richard is very upset about all this. It seems he has tried hard to rekindle the relationship but to no avail.
“There is no speculation that any third party is involved.”
It’s likely Richard will address the split on his and daughter Izzy’s Who We Are Now podcast.
A source said: “This is a chance for Richard to touch on what’s been happening in a way that he is in control of the messaging.
“The podcast is all about talking about feelings so it would be odd if he didn’t acknowledge the massive life changes he and his family has been going through, especially as his daughter Izzy is his co-host.”
Richard Hammond's career through the decades
By Summer Raemason
Richard was born in Birmingham in 1970 and studied photography, as well as television production.
He kickstarted his career in broadcasting at BBC Radio York.
This saw him land another role at BBC Radio Cumbria, Leeds and Lancashire, before he left in 1995 to follow his passion for cars.
He always dreamt of presenting motoring TV shows but initially took a job working in PR after leaving the BBC.
He was involved in corporate events for clients including the Ferrari Owners’ Club and Renault Sport.
In 1998 he earned his debut motoring TV job on, hosting Motorweek on Satellite channel Men & Motors.
This opened up many more avenues on screen and eventually he found his way to presenting Top Gear in 2002.
The household show garnered up to six million viewers at its peak.
While filming with Top Gear Richard crashed in a jet-powered traveling at over 300 mph.
The dad-of-two is one of the only people to have ever survived such a horror smash.
Hammond has also hosted science and nature programmes including Should I Worry About? on BBC One.
Other TV projects for the BBC included being the face of Battle of the Geeks, Time Commanders and featuring as a team captain on Petrol Heads.
He also presented ITV’s eponymous Richard Hammond’s Five O’Clock Show and Sky One’s Brainiac.