BBC bosses 'considered axing Hammond' from Top Gear
- Published
BBC bosses considered sacking Richard Hammond after the first series of the reboot of Top Gear, says its former executive producer.
Andy Wilman said managers "had a wobble about Richard".
He wrote in Top Gear magazine: "In their usual, classic HR style said to him: 'We may not want you back ... but, anyway, have a good Christmas.'"
The BBC would not comment but said Mr Wilman "is referring to events that happened 12 years ago".
Mr Wilman quit the show after Jeremy Clarkson's departure and is believed to be planning another show with the presenter, alongside Richard Hammond and James May.
Mr Wilman complained he'd received many visits over the years from what he called the "BBC Meddling Department".
He said bosses told him "that market research showed our show was attracting young, lifestyle, trendy viewers to BBC Two, so perhaps we should think about getting a young, lifestyle, trendy presenter".
"Ever keen to assist, we searched high and low and eventually came up with just the man: James May."
He added: "At one point, the Meddling Department arrived bearing more news from the outside world. Nearly half of our audience, they now declared, was female.
"Before they had a chance to follow that up with the inevitable suggestion to get a woman presenter, we shooed them out and carried on."
He added: "What I never had to worry about were the words coming out of the presenters' mouths. Any producer would be blessed to have those three.
"They would set off on a road trip, no script, just a few bullet points in their heads, and riff away like mates ... so much of their drivelly banter was gold."
His comments came with Clarkson set for a return to the BBC... for an interview on the Radio 2 breakfast show with Chris Evans.
The 55-year-old is expected to speak about his future in the studio tomorrow morning, in his first interview since being axed as Top Gear presenter following his attack on producer Oisin Tymon in March.
The BBC plans to relaunch Top Gear with new presenters.
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