Richard Hammond, known for his role on *Top Gear* and *The Grand Tour*,
found himself in an embarrassing situation in his first YouTube video since confirming his split from wife Mindy.
The 55-year-old presenter humorously admitted to locking himself out of his house, making his highly anticipated return to social media far from the smooth ride he had hoped for.
In a video posted on his Drivetribe channel on Wednesday, Hammond shared the mishap with his followers.
He explained how his plans to head to the Lake District took an unexpected turn
when he accidentally locked himself out while taking the kitchen bin outside.
“I’m late because I locked myself out of the house,” Hammond began, recalling the mishap. “I’m actually getting ready this afternoon to go to the Lake District, I’ve got everything packed and ready, and then I thought I’ll go and empty the bins.”
Hammond continued by describing the predicament: “So I took the kitchen bin out the front door – I never lock anything – but it’s a Yale lock, and the door stuck. I was stood outside, in my Crocs, in my dressing gown, with no phone, no keys, and no way to get back inside.” The presenter admitted that he felt flustered, even contemplating crying before realizing it wouldn’t help. He humorously noted that the experience made him feel like a child again, saying, “I felt about 10.”
As Hammond struggled with the situation, he resorted to attempting to break into his house using a stray brick, but this too proved unsuccessful. “I don’t know how burglars make a living,” he joked. Eventually, Hammond called a locksmith, who managed to open the door in just five seconds. “So in short, I’m late because I’m an idiot,” he laughed, acknowledging his mistake with self-deprecating humor.
This video marks Hammond’s first major public appearance following the announcement of his separation from Mindy in early January. The couple, who had been married for 28 years, released a joint statement confirming the end of their marriage while emphasizing that they would remain close for the sake of their two daughters. “Our marriage is coming to an end, but we’ve had an amazing 28 years together and two incredible daughters,” the statement read. “We will always be in each other’s lives and are proud of the family we created.”
Despite the amicable nature of their statement, there had been ongoing reports of tensions between the two. Sources suggested that Mindy had become increasingly frustrated with Hammond’s constant traveling and high-risk stunts on *The Grand Tour*, which may have contributed to the split. The couple had been living in Bollitree Castle, a £7 million estate in Hertfordshire, which Hammond had transformed by converting a barn into a personal “man cave.” Following the separation, it’s understood that Mindy intends to keep the castle as part of the divorce agreement.
In 2024, during a video tour of his barn, Hammond hinted at the strain in his marriage. He admitted to breaking his wife’s “golden rule” by sneaking his motorbike collection into the space, joking that Mindy believed the barn was haunted and thus, the collection was meant for him and his friends. This light-hearted admission seemed to hint at a deeper rift that had been brewing over time.
Despite their separation, Hammond and Mindy reportedly spent Christmas together as a family with their daughters, highlighting their commitment to co-parenting amicably. However, according to reports, Mindy had previously warned Hammond that his reckless lifestyle and constant traveling had put their marriage on thin ice. After the split, Hammond has since moved into a nearby rental property while continuing to run his car restoration business, Smallest Cog.
As for the incident of being locked out, it was a reminder that life, no matter how famous one becomes, can still throw curveballs. Hammond’s lighthearted approach to the situation provided a rare glimpse of humor and humanity in the face of personal challenges, and his fans continue to rally behind him as he navigates both his professional and personal life.
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