Richard Hammond To Join Radio 2

Richard Hammond is to return to his radio roots to present a series of Bank Holiday specials for BBC Radio 2. The Top Gear star will present four music based shows for Radio 2 during the Easter, Spring, August and Christmas/New Year bank holidays. Richard's first show will be on Friday 6 April at 2-4pm.

Richard "Hamster" Hammond studied television production and photography before beginning his broadcasting career at BBC Radio York.

He went on to work at BBC Radio Cumbria, BBC Radio Leeds and BBC Radio Lancashire prior to pursuing a career in motoring broadcasting.

Richard became presenter of Motorweek on Men & Motors satellite channel in 1998 and other television work followed with Should I Worry About?, Time Commanders, Brainiac: Science Abuse and Petrolheads.

Richard commented: "My first job was in radio, it's where my media career began. I hosted shows in BBC local radio stations all over the north of the country. I like to think that I was a rather romantic figure, a kind of wandering radio nomad – a bit like Lassie without the breath and toilet habits.

"So, to have the chance to share some time with listeners on the biggest station in the country is a huge and exciting opportunity. Live radio remains the most direct, immediate and personal medium and I love it as a listener and as a presenter.

"So really, I don't want people to think of me as a timid newcomer but more as a triumphant, garlanded hero making a magnificent return to the arena of his former glorious victories. Oh, and do I get a set of keys to Radio 2? Only there was this one time on Radio Cumbria when I got locked out and the record ended and, well it went badly."

Lesley Douglas, Controller, Radio 2 says: "Richard Hammond is a great talent and a much in demand broadcaster. He is a warm, funny and clever broadcaster, who has never lost his radio roots. These specials will give him the opportunity to get close to the audience in a way only radio can –in a live, interactive and creative environment."

Richard joined the award winning show Top Gear in 2002, working alongside Jeremy Clarkson and James May and also has a weekly motoring/opinion column in the Daily Mirror.

Richard Hammond, Radio 2, Friday 6 April at 2-4pm.