Richard Hammond: Wife, New Partner, Friendship & Drinking Status

Few presenters have had their friendships watched as closely as Richard Hammond’s — which is why the past 18 months have felt like such a shift. The Top Gear and The Grand Tour star announced his separation from Mindy Hammond in January 2025 after 28 years together, and by June 2026 he had confirmed a new relationship.

Marriage duration to Mindy Hammond: 23 years (2001–2024) ·
Separation announced: 9 January 2025 ·
Number of children: 2 ·
BBC Top Gear tenure: 2002–2015 ·
The Grand Tour co-stars: Jeremy Clarkson, James May

Eight data points, one pattern: the professional biography is set in stone; the personal one is still being drafted.

Has Richard Hammond’s wife left him?

The honest answer is: not in the way the question implies. There was no unilateral exit — the couple announced their split together, and neither has confirmed divorce proceedings since.

Mindy Hammond announces separation after 23 years of marriage

• 9 January 2025: the split is announced via a joint statement (Hereford Times, regional paper).
• Together 28 years; married for 23 (The Sun).
• No third-party involvement has been confirmed.

The statement, carried by LBC and other outlets, was carefully worded: a shared decision, gratitude to well-wishers, and an explicit promise that the family would remain in each other’s lives (LBC).

The Sun’s version of events was louder. Its report framed the split as a property drama — Hammond, it said, had been “kicked out” to a converted barn, with a fight over the £7m estate to come (The Sun).

What this means: the confirmed story of the Hammond split currently fits in three sentences. Everything beyond that is tabloid framing, and it should be read accordingly.

The official statement from the couple

• Published 9 January 2025.
• Described the relationship as “an amazing 28 years together.”
• Came from both parties — a joint statement, not a unilateral announcement.

“…an amazing 28 years together.”

Richard and Mindy Hammond, joint statement, January 2025 (as reported by LBC)

The wording mattered. “Together” for 28 years — not “married” for 28. It acknowledged the length of the relationship without overstating the legal frame.

Fan-shared footage appeared to show the family together at Christmas 2024, weeks before the statement (YouTube, fan-uploaded footage).

Who is Richard Hammond’s new partner?

The short answer: her name is Keira “Kiki” Glen, and she was first identified in UK press reporting in late 2025.

Details about Richard Hammond’s girlfriend

• Named in UK reporting as Keira “Kiki” Glen (Daily Mail).
• Described as a therapist based in Oxfordshire (Daily Mail).
• Some reports describe the couple settling into a quieter domestic life in Abergavenny, Wales (Daily Mail).

June 2026 is the key date. That is when multiple outlets, including the Oxford Mail, reported that Hammond had publicly confirmed the relationship — about a year after the split was announced and several months after he was first seen with Glen (Oxford Mail).

Is Richard Hammond a big drinker?

The question follows him, but the answer is nuanced. Hammond has spoken publicly about enjoying alcohol in the past, but he has never been diagnosed with alcoholism and has deliberately reduced his intake over the years.

Richard Hammond’s history with alcohol and sobriety

In a 2019 BBC Radio interview, Hammond described himself as someone who “likes a drink” but noted he had cut back significantly after his 2006 jet-car crash and the subsequent recovery. He has not identified as an alcoholic (BBC Radio, 2019).

Tabloid headlines have occasionally exaggerated his drinking, often drawing comparisons to Jeremy Clarkson’s more open indulgence. The pattern: Hammond’s drinking is a recurring tabloid hook, but the man himself has never confirmed a problem (The Times, 2025).

Is Jeremy Clarkson still friends with Richard Hammond?

Yes — the friendship remains intact, even if the daily co‑hosting is over.

The status of the Clarkson-Hammond friendship in 2025

Both men have publicly affirmed their bond. Clarkson told The Times in January 2025 that he is “done with group car shows” but stressed that his personal relationships with Hammond and James May are unaffected (The Times, January 2025). Hammond echoed this in a September 2025 interview with LADbible, saying they still speak regularly (LADbible).

The implication: the professional partnership ended with The Grand Tour, but the friendships are separate — and so far, intact.

Why did Jeremy Clarkson cut ties with Hammond and May?

He didn’t — not in the personal sense. The phrase “cut ties” comes from Clarkson’s comments about no longer wanting to do group car shows, not from any rift.

Clarkson’s comments about no longer working with Hammond and May

In a January 2025 interview with The Times, Clarkson said: “I’m done with that format. It’s time for something else.” He explicitly stated that he remains close with both Hammond and May but sees no reason to continue the same type of show (The Times).

The catch: what looks like a breakup is actually a career pivot. All three continue to appear together in occasional projects, and their private interactions remain warm.