Richard Hammond

I was very interested to hear earlier in the week that Richard Hammond is doing a pilot for Channel 4's tea time slot which is currently occupied by Richard and Judy. Richard is doing it for So TV Graham Norton’s Production Company.

Richard Hammond is someone I came across in about 1995 very early into my broadcasting career. I got a gig at BBC Radio Lancashire what a dream come true, I was 18 and working for the BBC ! Part of my job was to work on a show call 'The Late Show with Bob Roberts' Bob was our presenter, a great man with a wealth of information our PA as they were called was Richard Hammond then there was Ben Thomson and I. Our show was networked to every BBC Local station in the North we'd have nutty people from Newcastle phoning at the same time as Yvonne from Frecklton (near Preston!)

People used to say to me who inspired you to be a presenter and I'd often reply Bob, Ben and Richard and until that awful crash people would have no idea who Richard Hammond was and they still don't know Bob or Ben are but believe me those three guys were every bit as good as the people you would term radio greats.

Richard's love of cars was evident even back then, he would stand at the window of the Engineer in Charge's room ( the smoking room) and look out at the car park. He's look at his VW Scirocco and be incredibly proud of it telling me it's faster than you imagine.

Richard would often present the show if Bob was off, however, I remember one occasion very well when Richard covered on the afternoon show he asked me if I'd work the show with him and we planned a 1950's theme show at a shop that sold American Memorabilia in Chorley, Lancs.

I put together a great show he was taught to Rock n Roll dance, looked around some old American cars his comment after the show was "I wish you'd have been there Dom."

This is why I think Richard would make a great chat show host people don't realise his talents don't just stop at cars in 1995 I said that Richard Hammond is one of the best broadcasters I've ever worked with and in 2008 I haven't changed my mind.

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