Almost two months ago BBC car show Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond suffered a serious injury in a risky car stunt gone wrong. Hammond was airlifted to hospital after a high speed crash in a souped up jet car. Critics claimed that Hammond was not properly trained to drive the car, which was going 288 mph when it crashed, and that only a jet pilot with split second reflexes should have been behind the wheel.

The beloved presenter has fully recovered from what was initially thought to be permanent brain injury, and has even passed extensive testing required to drive again!

ECSTATIC Richard Hammond got back behind the wheel of a car yesterday for the first time since his horror crash and said: “I will remember this day for the rest of my life”.

He took his wife Mindy for a spin in his Morgan sports car after being given the go-ahead by doctors to drive again.

It was less than two months since the Mirror columnist and Top Gear presenter suffered a serious brain injury in the 288mph jet car smash as he filmed a stunt for the show.

After yesterday’s drive Richard said: “Now I feel more like me.

“As I got into the driving seat it felt like I was back where I belonged.

“It was wonderful to be away from everything, being able to tootle around the lanes in the foothills of the Malverns in Gloucestershire on a sunny Sunday afternoon.”

Richard, 36, nicknamed the Hamster by Top Gear sidekicks Jeremy Clarkson and James May, added: “During the last two months there have a number of moments I will never forget and this is one of them.

“I have really missed driving and the freedom that comes with it. I didn’t realise how much until today. Mindy was a bit damp-eyed. She has been my driver for the last few weeks and I have been dependent on her. Now I’m looking forward to taking her out for a drive and a nice lunch this week.”

Richard had to pass two hours of complicated mental reasoning, memory and problem-solving tests before he won back his driving licence.

He said: “It felt like passing my test again. Mindy was delighted.

“Of course, it means I can get back to work but it means so much personally as well.”

Top Gear will start shooting for a delayed new season in January, and it is thought that they will tone down their thrill-seeking antics.

Here’s a news segment about Richard’s crash. The title suggest that the crash is included, but it’s not: