Richard Hammond opens up about his secret struggle with depression and emotional trauma after his near-fatal 2006 crash.

In September 2006, Richard Hammond, the beloved host of Top Gear, faced a life-altering moment that would change him forever.

While driving a vampire dragster at an astonishing 288 mph, Hammond crashed, suffering a traumatic brain injury that left him in a two-week coma.

When he emerged, he appeared to be the same charismatic personality viewers adored, but beneath the surface lay a harrowing truth that would unfold over the next two decades.

Years later, in a candid confession, Hammond revealed the extent of his struggles. “I damaged all the complicated bits of the brain to do with processing and emotional control,” he admitted.

The crash not only shattered his body but also left him prey to overwhelming emotions he could no longer manage.

While the world saw him as a triumphant survivor, Hammond was grappling with a hidden battle against depression, a condition exacerbated by his brain injury.

As he returned to the spotlight, the pressure to maintain his public persona weighed heavily on him. Each appearance required him to mask his turmoil, presenting a facade of the energetic, fearless presenter who made millions laugh.

But behind the scenes, he was fighting a relentless war against his own mind. “I had to relearn things from scratch,” he explained, detailing how he struggled with basic emotional processing, often feeling overwhelmed by feelings that hit him unfiltered.

Despite his outward success, Hammond was haunted by memories that eluded him, often forgetting essential details such as PIN numbers for his bank cards. These lapses served as painful reminders of his fractured mind.

He returned to Top Gear amidst cheers, but internally, he was barely holding it together, battling the demons of his past every single day.

The demands of fame only intensified his struggles. The public expected the “Hamster” to be the same lovable character they had always known, but Hammond was acutely aware of his vulnerabilities.

His world was filled with laughter and applause, yet he felt increasingly isolated, trapped in a reality where he couldn’t express his pain.

In a poignant interview with racing legend Sir Sterling Moss, he opened up about the challenges of living with a brain injury, revealing the rare honesty that few could understand.

As the years rolled on, Hammond tried to outrun his darkness through relentless work. He threw himself into various projects, including Top Gear and The Grand Tour, attempting to fill every moment with activity to escape the haunting shadows of his mind.

However, no matter how fast he drove or how many stunts he performed, the specter of depression followed him, lurking in the background of every exhilarating experience.

In 2017, while racing in Switzerland, Hammond faced yet another near-fatal incident when his Rimac car flipped and burst into flames.

In that terrifying moment, he felt a chilling thought creep into his mind: perhaps dying would be easier than continuing to pretend everything was okay. Such is the insidious nature of depression, whispering dark thoughts that cloud even the brightest moments.

By 2024, Hammond faced a perfect storm of personal tragedies. The death of his father from cancer, the end of his 28-year marriage to Mindy, and the conclusion of The Grand Tour all converged, leaving him feeling utterly adrift.

Each loss was catastrophic for someone already battling the effects of a brain injury.

His divorce meant losing his anchor, the one person who had stood by him through his darkest nights. Alone in a rented farmhouse, he was confronted with the silence that had once been a refuge but now felt unbearable.

Hammond’s journey through depression was marked by brutal honesty. In 2008, he publicly acknowledged his struggles, stating, “My brain is damaged. I have depression. I need professional help.”

This declaration was a turning point, not just for him but for many who watched him. He demonstrated that recovery is not a single breakthrough but a continuous process, one that requires ongoing effort and support.

Years later, he continues to confront new emotional challenges, developing strategies to cope with a brain that processes feelings differently.

His openness about his mental health struggles has resonated with many, providing a voice to those who feel isolated in their own battles. By sharing his story, he has helped normalize the conversation around mental health, encouraging others to seek help without shame.

Hammond’s narrative serves as a powerful reminder that success and fame do not shield one from the ravages of mental illness. His life is a testament to the fact that trauma can leave lasting scars, altering the very fabric of who we are.

Yet, through honesty and vulnerability, he has shown that it is possible to rebuild a life worth living, even in the face of overwhelming odds.

On World Trauma Day, Hammond’s story highlights the ongoing fight many endure long after the headlines fade. His battle with depression and brain injury is far from over, but he continues to show up, choosing life one day at a time.

For those grappling with their own invisible struggles, Hammond’s journey offers hope and a reminder that they are not alone.

He has proven that survival is not about fearlessness but about seeking help, embracing vulnerability, and finding purpose amid chaos.

Richard Hammond’s story is one of resilience, a poignant reminder that even in our darkest moments, we can find the strength to keep fighting.