Richard Hammond’s co-star issued warning not to let him drive in new show after incidents

RICHARD HAMMOND'S co-star Tory Belleci has joked he was warned not to let the former drive any vehicles as the pair put their survival skills to the test for their new show The Great Escapists.

By Samantha Masters, Content Editor

The Great Escapists: Richard Hammond stars in Amazon show

Richard Hammond, 51, and Mythbusters star Tory Belleci, 50, combined their skills while shipwrecked on a desert island together for their new Amazon show. Speaking to Express.co.uk, Tory said he was told not to let Richard drive following some of his previous dangerous stunts on Top Gear and The Grand Tour.

“I did take a lot of advice from people who said don’t let Richard drive,” he laughed when asked if their families worried about them on the show.

Richard added: “They don’t care, they’re not interested really.”

The former Top Gear star went on to say of filming for the show: “It was uncomfortable at times, the flies on fly beach as we named it, but, we were working hard.

“We’re a very hard working team, we started work early every morning and worked hard until it was dark.”

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Tory Belleci said he was warned not to let Richard Hammond drive during filming for The Great Escapists

Tory Belleci said he was warned not to let Richard drive during filming for The Great Escapists (Image: AMAZON)

Richard Hammond and Tory Belleci put their survival skills to the test for their new show

Richard Hammond and Tory Belleci put their survival skills to the test for their new show (Image: AMAZON)

The duo attempt various challenges throughout the series including building a car out of wood with their bare hands and making glass to build a lighthouse in an attempt to attract passing ships.

Tory went on to say working with Richard was “intense” during the “challenging” adventure.

He explained: “It’s a long time away from home, and the work was very challenging.

“But this is probably one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had in my career, and Richard is such a lovely person.

“I remember we did a test scene on the beach and I had this kind of out-of-body experience, where I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I'm working with this person that I've been watching forever’. It was just very surreal to be working with somebody that I’d been a fan of, and then to get along with him so well just makes it that much more of a treat.”

Tory Belleci said Richard Hammond became like his 'brother' on the show

Tory Belleci said Richard Hammond became like his 'brother' on the show (Image: AMAZON)

Richard Hammond with his The Grand Tour co-stars Jeremy and James

Richard Hammond with his The Grand Tour co-stars Jeremy and James (Image: GETTY)

When asked if he believed working with Richard could put him in danger, he went on to say: "If you look at my career, I've been involved in a bunch of accidents too.

"On MythBusters I was usually the human guinea pig, so I tended to get hurt more than others. So, the two of us together I think people were also like, ‘Oh my God, you guys, really? You guys are gonna kill yourselves’."

Tory added Richard is now like his “brother from another mother”.

“When you’re on TV, that can change you. Your ego, your pride – but he’s like a normal human, which is refreshing.

“People take themselves too seriously and I can say with certainty Richard does not,” he continued.

Richard added he believes the pair will be “friends for life”.

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The car enthusiast is best known for his appearances on Top Gear and The Grand Tour with long-term co-stars Jeremy Clarkson and James May.

During his time he has experienced multiple injuries after attempting dangerous stunts.

Back in 2017, Richard was taken to hospital after a crash while filming in Switzerland.

The show said the presenter "climbed out of the car himself before the vehicle burst into flames" in a statement following the reports.

Jeremy later tweeted the incident was the “most frightening" accident he had ever seen but said his co-star, who fractured a knee, was "mostly OK".

In 2006, he was left in a coma for two weeks and with brain injuries after crashing a jet-powered car at Elvington airfield while filming for Top Gear.

He told The Mirror: “It was 50/50 what was going to happen. I may have been dead, I may not have woken up.

“Doctors use a points system. Fifteen is normal, three is a flatline. I was a three.

“I was that close to being dead."

The Great Escapists will launch January 29 on Amazon Prime Video.

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