Comedian and actor , 51, on his new science show, his best friend Bev and why he won’t be filming a father-son show.
Tell us about Richard Hammond’s Brain Reaction, your new panel show.
It’s a show answering scientific questions but in an unorthodox manner – like, what would be stronger, a fire hose or some tug-of-war guys?
I said to my agent, ‘When did I sign up for anything remotely to do with science?’ It’s one subject I absolutely refused to revise for, coming up to my O levels.
And you’re up against Victoria Coren Mitchell, who does Only Connect, so she has a bit of an advantage.
She’s the brains and I want to be the brawn. I like to go on panel shows as if it’s guerilla warfare and trash the show so it’s strange being a captain and being expected to lead.
What’s lovely about Victoria… you know when you get someone highly intelligent but without the snobbery that can come with it? She did often try and lead me off to a petting zoo to ask if I was alright.
She’s looking very crisp and you’re wearing some old jumper.
What was wrong with my jumper? I want to show Victoria Coren Mitchell what years in showbiz will do to you.
The first question on the first show was about monkeys. And if there’s anything you should know about…
It’s going to be on my headstone, isn’t it? ‘Monkey!’ All I know is the difference between monkeys and apes is that apes don’t have tails so Monkey from the PG Tips ads is technically an ape.
Have you learned anything that could be useful for your life from this show?
Never take on a skinny woman in an eating contest.
You can’t help but get involved when you’re watching – like, can a fridge really fly further than an armchair?
It brings it down to a pub-debate level. Years ago I worked in a pub and this guy came in and he was like my guardian angel, he had one pint and went, ‘Who would win in a fight between a lion and a golden eagle?’ and just left. Three hours later the debate was still raging.
But the scientists on the show are quite sexy and funny…
Oh God, yeah. It makes you want to be better at science but it’s another world and I don’t belittle science or people who are into science. I don’t like the word ‘nerd’ but it’s a different tribe.
Does it beat swallowing a bag of sick on Celebrity Juice?
Oh, gosh. There was .
It wasn’t?
No! Please! I describe Celebrity Juice as having a night out with old friends your partner wouldn’t approve of and then finding out it’s been filmed.
So both of these shows are nights out at the pub. Are they the only shows you’ll consider now?
Anywhere I can get away with talking nonsense.
Carry On Glamping is coming back so you’re seeing a lot of your sidekick, Bev…
She’s become a star in her own right. She won’t let me see her fan mail.
How much fun is it?
There are genuine tear-your-hair-out moments. It doesn’t all fall into place.
Shouldn’t you get rid of Bev and do what everyone else does and get one of your sons in? Martin Kemp, Bradley Walsh, Jack Whitehall and his dad…
She’ll have her own PA soon and then it’ll be, ‘Oh, I’m sorry, she’s not available for that, she’s on The Great British Sewing Bee.’
I’ve always been clear, especially with my son Michael, that this is me at home and this is me at work – it’s two very different things. He’s one of those people that if he ever went into TV, he’d want to be behind the scenes. He’s never shown an interest in being in front of camera.
And you’re getting back into art – because you were an art student, weren’t you?
I’ve never exhibited, never put anything on show – except there was Grayson’s Art Club – since I graduated so I’m back in the thick of working with other artists and putting on a show.
Anything else in the works?
We’ve got more Murder, They Hope coming up with the lovely Sian Gibson.
Is Benidorm done and dusted?
They might do something 20 years down the line but I don’t know because I was out of it before it finished.
Bev keeps interrupting in the background. Any chance for romance? You’d make quite the power couple…
What, me and Bev? Romance? You’re kidding! You heard her? Christ, no! Mind you, we do bicker that much that people mistake us for a couple.
Richard Hammond’s Brain Reaction is on Comedy Central at 9pm on Wednesdays.
