Morrisons advert star Hammond backtracks after food gaffe

Published on Saturday 8 August 2009 19:53

TELEVISION presenter Richard Hammond – the face of supermarket chain Morrisons' advertising campaign – backtracked yesterday after saying that he was "not interested in food".

The Top Gear presenter made the remark during the latest episode of the BBC2 show. In an exchange with co-hosts Jeremy Clarkson and James May, Hammond agreed that people with no interest in cars should not be allowed to drive.

Clarkson compared the scenario with asking Hammond to cook. When asked by Clarkson if he could prepare a Sunday lunch, Hammond replied: "Yeah, you would boil the meat or whatever." Then, after a momentary pause, he added: "No. I'm not interested in food, so I'm not interested in cooking."

But Hammond, who championed Morrisons' fresh produce and British meat in adverts for the chain, yesterday spoke of his "love" of food. "As everyone who has eaten at my house knows, my wife Mindy is the cook in my family," he said.

"My idea of good food is that it must be simple, but it has to be top quality and fresh – that's why Mindy shops at our local Morrisons. She probably sees the butcher there more than me."

Morrisons said it would not be commenting on Hammond's remarks.