Richard Hammond earned plenty of titles during his long run co-hosting Top Gear and later The Grand Tour alongside Jeremy Clarkson and James May. From his petite stature to his aggressive driving style on the test track, his co-hosts and fans gave him monikers that stuck around for decades.
Understanding these nicknames requires looking past the scripted banter to see how they shaped his television persona. This breakdown covers every major nickname Richard Hammond received on Top Gear, where they came from, and how they defined his time on screen.
The Hamster: Origins of the Most Famous Monikers
The most iconic nickname associated with Richard Hammond is The Hamster. Jeremy Clarkson coined the term during early seasons of the revamped BBC motoring show, referencing both Hammond's small physical stature and a running joke about his diet—specifically eating nuts or spinning on a wheel.
The moniker quickly escaped the confines of the television studio and became his primary public identifier. Fans embraced it because it highlighted the playful dynamic between the three presenters: the towering Clarkson, the plodding May, and the energetic, bite-sized Hammond.
- Physical Stature: Standing at around five feet and seven inches, Hammond frequently took good-natured ribbing from Clarkson, who towered over him.
- On-Screen Energy: His frantic hand gestures and hyperactive presentation style cemented the rodent comparison in viewers' minds.
- Merchandising and Media: The BBC and subsequent press outlets leaned heavily into the moniker, making it synonymous with his brand.
The Teeth and Whitening Jokes
While not formal single-word nicknames like "Captain Slow," Hammond's dental work became a continuous running joke that functioned almost like a secondary moniker. Clarkson and May frequently targeted his heavily whitened teeth, particularly after his high-profile television return following his brutal 2006 drag racer crash.
The banter evolved into recurring gags about toothpaste sponsorships, glowing grins in dark tunnels, and blinding studio lighting. These segments highlighted the show's specific brand of workplace humor, where physical insecurities were turned into comedic ammunition for millions of viewers.
The Crash Survivor and Invincible Monikers
Following his near-fatal jet car crash at Elvington airfield in September 2006, Hammond's relationship with nicknames shifted temporarily. While viewers and tabloids occasionally tossed around terms like The Survivor, Hammond himself deflected the dramatic framing with self-deprecating humor.
Instead of cementing a solemn title, the incident reinforced his resilience. The trio rarely missed an opportunity to mock his recovery, joking about brain damage or memory loss in ways that only close television colleagues could get away with. This gallows humor prevented the show from turning overly sentimental while acknowledging the severity of what happened.
Comparing the Trio's Dynamic Monikers
| Presenter | Primary Nickname | Origin & Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Clarkson | Jezza / Big Orangutan | Physical size, loud opinions, and orangutan comparisons. |
| James May | Captain Slow | Ironic label for cautious driving and deliberate pacing. |
| Richard Hammond | The Hamster | Physical height jokes and hyperactive energy levels. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Richard Hammond actually like being called The Hamster?
Yes, he embraced it fully over the years. While it started as a gentle insult about his height from Jeremy Clarkson, Hammond leaned into the joke, eventually using it in book titles, merchandise, and social media branding.
Who actually came up with the nickname The Hamster?
Jeremy Clarkson originated the nickname during production meetings and early episode scripts in the revived 2002 era of Top Gear, noting that Hammond shared behavioral and physical traits with small rodents.
How did the crash in 2006 change his on-screen persona?
The crash earned him immense public respect for his recovery, but on screen, it mostly fueled more banter. His co-hosts used the incident to tease his memory and driving skills rather than treating him with kid gloves.
Are the nicknames used on The Grand Tour as well?
Yes. When the trio moved to Amazon Prime Video to launch The Grand Tour, the established dynamic—including the nicknames and running jokes about height and dental whitening—carried over seamlessly to the new format.
