Television presenter Richard Hammond, widely known for his work on shows like Top Gear and The Grand Tour, is reportedly in a new relationship following his divorce. The 56-year-old has been seen with Kiki Glen, a 53-year-old therapist and mother of two, in Abergavenny, Wales, where Hammond now resides. This marks his first public relationship since his marriage of 23 years to Mindy Etheridge concluded.
A New Chapter in Abergavenny
Hammond relocated to Abergavenny, a town in the Welsh countryside, after his divorce. He has spoken about embracing a quieter lifestyle, focusing on activities such as cooking, running, walking, and enjoying the rural surroundings. He has mentioned that his evenings are often spent watching television, sometimes alone or with his new partner.
Sources close to Hammond suggest that the couple is taking their time, enjoying each other’s company. A friend commented, “Richard is having fun and really appreciates he’s lucky to have someone he shares such a spark with. He wasn’t expecting to get into a relationship so quickly, but he’s not complaining. It’s early days but they’re happy to see where it goes with no pressure.”
Kiki Glen: A Professional Background
Kiki Glen, whose birth name is Keira, is a 53-year-old therapist. She previously worked in finance, holding a client manager position at JP Morgan. After raising her children, she transitioned to a career in education, working as a teacher for two decades before pursuing therapy. Glen also holds a non-executive director role at the engineering firm Barrus Ltd and serves as a school governor in Oxford. She was previously married to Richard Newall, with whom she has two daughters, aged 26 and 24.
Glen resides in a village in Oxfordshire but has been spending an increasing amount of time in Abergavenny with Hammond. Their relationship was first publicly noted in September, nine months after Hammond’s divorce was announced, when she accompanied him to the launch of a new store in London.
Hammond’s Life Post-Divorce
The divorce from Mindy Etheridge was announced in January 2025, with the couple stating they would remain a family, albeit structured differently, after 28 years together. They share two daughters, Izzy, 25, and Willow, 22. Despite the separation, Hammond and Etheridge have maintained a civil relationship, appearing together at their daughter Willow’s university graduation.
In the opening episode of his Discovery+ series, Richard Hammond’s Workshop, the presenter alluded to his marital breakdown. He stated, “Get something out of the way, straight away – there has been a slight change in my circumstances recently… I got divorced. Which means I now live here. I like it, it’s got amazing views, a place to keep some of my cars and bikes and best of all, it’s close to the workshop.”
Hammond’s new home is a six-bedroom manor house near Hereford, where he operates his car restoration business, The Smallest Cog. The property, located in the Welsh countryside, features amenities such as a tennis court, a wine cellar, and ample outbuildings for his car collection. This move followed a period of renting another property in the area after residing in the marital home, a mock-Gothic castle in Herefordshire.
Reflections on Past Challenges
The period surrounding Hammond’s divorce was described by him as a “year from hell,” also encompassing the end of The Grand Tour and the passing of his father, Alan. Reports have suggested that the strain on his marriage was exacerbated by injuries sustained in two severe car crashes during his career. In 2006, he suffered life-threatening injuries after a high-speed dragster crash, and more recently, in 2017, he fractured his knee in a crash involving a Rimac Concept One electric supercar while filming.
Insiders have indicated that these significant accidents and their physical and mental repercussions may have impacted his relationship with his ex-wife. Despite these challenges, Hammond has expressed contentment with his current life, focusing on his business, his new home, and his developing relationship.
A Quiet Life in the Countryside
Local residents in Abergavenny have observed Hammond and Glen frequenting local establishments, including a pub. Staff members have noted their desire for privacy, with arrangements made to allow them to dine without undue attention. “He’s a local. We sit him away from the front so people don’t see him. He just wants to sit in peace and enjoy a burger. He doesn’t want to be bothered. He wants to be treated like anyone else,” one staff member reportedly said.
Hammond’s new relationship and his move to Wales signify a new phase in his life, characterized by a more private existence away from the intense spotlight of his previous television roles.
