A shocked driver tipped off police about an "appalling" spot of parking in a crowded street - and then realised it was TV star Richard Hammond driving.
The former Top Gear presenter was caught on camera bashing into neighbouring cars a dozen times before getting out of his vehicle to admire his parking. Passers-by filmed as the mystery maroon Renault people-carrier smashed into the bumpers of two cars next to it to get into a narrow bay.
One driver tipped off police and even sent a video for them to be arrested for the damage. However, police informed him it was all staged
The video was shot in Crickhowell, mid-Wales. Hammond, 51, lives just 25 miles away in nearby Ross-on-Wye. After the footage was sent to the police, the Dyfed-Powys Police force responded by saying: “Hi Philip, thanks for getting in touch. We are aware of some filming happening in and around this area at the moment, but thanks for letting us know.”
One passer-by said: "It was a terrible piece of parking. But just the thing a lot of us would like to do when you can't find a space big enough. The three cars involved were all quite old so it wouldn't have caused too much damage."
Hammond was in Crickhowell believed to be filming a segment for the fourth series of The Grand Tour on Amazon Prime.
In the one-minute and 41-second long video, local residents can be seen getting out their phones and filming as a maroon Renault people carrier tries to manoeuvre into a tight parking bay in-between a grey Citroen Saxo and another grey Renault vehicle.
Hammond's people-carrier revs and screeches loudly with its wheels spinning and smoking as it tries to barge the Saxo out of the way.
The driver manages to squeeze into the space – and as he jumps out eagle-eyed fans could spot it was Hammond as he walks away.
It is not the only time suspected filming for the new series of The Grand Tour has caused a stir in Crickhowell recently. Last week, an eagle-eyed motorist spotted a helicopter carrying a car suspended from a cable above the Glanusk Estate before suddenly dropping it. It is thought that three well-known ex-Top Gear presenters were behind the stunt.
