Richard Hammond’s daughter, Izzy, has been candid about her father’s reckless nature and the toll it has taken on their family life.

During a recent podcast appearance, the 24-year-old opened up about her father’s daring behavior, particularly when it came to his job in the world of extreme stunts and car crashes.

She didn’t hold back, calling her father an “idiot” when reflecting on his thrilling yet dangerous career.

A Father’s Absence

Izzy shared that growing up, her father wasn’t always present due to his demanding schedule filming Top Gear and The Grand Tour.

She explained that although her memories with him are some of her happiest, they were limited because of his frequent absences.

“He wasn’t there a lot and that’s all I really knew growing up,” she said.

While she acknowledged that her childhood wasn’t tragic, she also recognized the strain it placed on her mother, Mindy, who had to navigate raising two children mostly on her own.

Izzy added that some of Richard’s work trips would keep him away for over a month, but her parents did their best to keep the details from worrying her and her sister, Willow.

Despite their best efforts, it was clear that Richard’s work and lifestyle weren’t without their challenges.

A Near-Fatal Crash and its Impact

One of the most significant events in the Hammond family’s life was Richard’s life-threatening crash in 2006.

Izzy, who was just seven at the time, recalled the lasting impact it had on their family.

“He was absolutely doolally for months and months afterwards,” Izzy admitted.

The crash left Richard in a coma for two weeks, and his recovery process was long and grueling.

During that period, he was barely functional, struggling to regain his normal abilities, let alone be an active father.

Mindy, ever the supportive wife, was by his side throughout the ordeal, but the aftermath was difficult for the whole family.

“I just have a lot of gaps in memory of him as a dad,” Izzy shared, reflecting on how the incident changed their dynamic.

The Fallout: A Splitting Family

Richard and Mindy’s relationship faced numerous challenges following his crashes, and their marriage finally came to an end after 28 years.

Sources close to the couple revealed that Richard had become increasingly difficult to live with in recent years, likely due to the physical and emotional toll of his past accidents.

A source shared, “Richard has been through an awful lot, and the knock-on effect from the crashes has impacted his relationship.”

Despite his best efforts to recover, these incidents have undeniably changed him, and it’s clear that his relationship with Mindy suffered as a result.

Mindy, who is reportedly seeking to retain ownership of the £7 million Bollitree Castle in their divorce, had long been frustrated by Richard’s daredevil antics.

She had even set boundaries for him after the second crash, warning him that one more major accident could spell the end of his career.

Moving Forward: Richard’s New Chapter

In the wake of the divorce announcement, Richard has moved out of the family home and into a nearby village.

He now runs a car-restoration business, Smallest Cog, out of a rented property where he continues his passion for motors.

While the end of their marriage is undoubtedly a difficult chapter for Richard, it’s clear that his family has been through a lot together.

His journey, from his near-fatal crashes to his personal struggles, has left a lasting impact on his family, and the road ahead remains uncertain for the former Top Gear star.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn