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Richard Hammond

Nicknamed 'The Hamster' due to his diminutive stature, TV presenter Richard Hammond was the most affable member of the "Top Gear" (BBC2, 1977-) team that turned the motoring show into a British institution. Unlike colleagues Jeremy Clarkson and James May, Hammond often ventured outside his specialist subject, hosting various popular science programs including "Brainiac: Science Abuse" (Sky 1, 2003-08) and "Should I Worry About?..." (BBC1, 2004-05), fronting a string of historical documentaries, and becoming a regular face on the Saturday night schedules with "Total Wipeout" (BBC1, 2009-2012) and "That Puppet Game Show" (BBC1, 2013-14). Hammond also imparted his vast knowledge of cars, science and technology to a younger generation with a series of children's books and hit game show "Richard Hammond's Blast Lab" (CBBC, 2009-2011). But, of course, it was his work on the world's most watched factual show that turned him into a household name, none more so than in 2006 when the dragster vehicle he was driving for a segment crashed spectacularly at a speed of 288 mph, leaving Hammond in a coma for two weeks. Hammond eventually made a full recovery and remained a vital part of the show's phenomenal success for the next decade.