‘I was beyond broke’: Richard Hammond reveals he once had to sell his beloved motorbike to afford toilet paper after maxing out his credit card
Richard Hammond has candidly reflected on having to sell his beloved motorbike so he could afford toilet paper and food before he became famous.
The Grand Tour presenter, 51, explained how he ran out of cash during the 90s when he was living in Clitheroe, Lancashire, and working at a local radio station.
Speaking on the Andy Jay podcast, he revealed that during one visit to the shops his credit card was declined and he had no other option but to sell his bike.
‘I was beyond broke’: Richard Hammond has candidly reflected on having to sell his motorbike in the 90s so he could afford essentials such as toilet paper and food (pictured in 2019)
Richard, who is now thought to worth more than £15million, revealed: ‘I was generally living in little downstairs front room bedsits. I was beyond broke.
‘Then the day arrived when I went to Quicksavers to buy my food for the week.
‘My credit card was refused because it was full, and then I thought “that’s literally it, there’s nothing more”.
‘The only option was to go to my motorcycle, which I kept in a shed behind a pub opposite – I’d manage to blag that… I rode the bike to Accrington.’
Had to be done: The Grand Tour presenter, 51, said he ran out of cash while trying to buy food and there was no other option than to sell his bike (pictured with a different bike in April 2020)
Richard then continued that he went looking for the best deal, eventually finding someone who would give him enough money to keep him afloat.
He said: ‘I rode round all the dealers and sold it to the one that gave me the most money for it, and then walked home to Clitheroe with the cash for loo roll.’
Reflecting on those tough financial times, Richard added: ‘I was always in debt for some stupid motorcycle I had brought on a loan’.
Since then, Richard has become one of TV’s most recognisable presenters alongside Top Gear and The Grand Tour co-hosts James May and Jeremy Clarkson.
How things have changed: Richard is now thought to be worth more than £15million and has become a hugely recognisable presenter alongside James May and Jeremy Clarkson
During their TV shows, the trio travel the globe in various vehicles, go on adventures and complete tasks. They also review new motors and interview celebs about their own cars.
Richard has also built up an impressive car collection of his own, with him being the proud owner of dozens of vintage vehicles and bikes.
Among his collection is a 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390, 1985 Land Rover Range Rover Classic, a 1950S Bentley S1 and 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT-8, reports DriveTribe.
The presenter recently got the green light to build a secure garage to house his huge motor collection after thieves struck at his £2million country retreat.
Collector: The father-of-two has also built up an impressive collection of cars and bikes since the years he couldn’t even afford toilet paper (pictured in 2015)
The star had submitted plans to create a secure parking lot for around a dozen cars and motorbikes he owns at his six-bed castle in Herefordshire, near Ross-on-Wye.
The proposals revealed Richard- affectionately known as The Hamster – had been hit by thieves at his countryside manor where he keeps around 30 cars.
These included a Jaguar Roadster, a vintage Porsche and several Land Rovers, as well as numerous motorbikes.
He had wanted to renovate the stables at his property and build a barn to store his vehicles safely and after a four-month wait, he was given the go-ahead to begin construction in December.
Family: Richard is married to wife Mindy, 55, (pictured together in 2017) and the couple have two teenager daughters Willow and Isabella