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Auto Talk: Vicki Butler-Henderson
04 April 2007 Husky-voiced TV presenter Vicki Butler-Henderson is about to burst back onto our screens in a new series of Fifth Gear. Alex Eckford speaks to her about buffoons, smacked bottoms, topless motoring, and why her co-host Tim Lovejoy won’t be joining her in the new shows. "I know his car knowledge wasn't brilliant, but he had the layman's perspective. He's pursuing other projects." Vicki Butler-Henderson's is talking about her co-host Tim Lovejoy. He won’t be returning to the screen in the upcoming series of Channel 5's motoring show Fifth Gear. Tim's decision to leave the programme comes after criticism from some quarters about his knowledge of cars – or lack of it. "I really enjoyed working with him – it was fun, so I'm quite sad he's not doing it anymore, but he's busy doing his other shows like Soccer AM. Never mind. The producers decided to use the same format but bring in the other presenters, Tom Ford and Tiff Needell to fill Tim's place. It'll be good, because we can talk about cars a bit more." Are you looking forward to working with Tiff Needell again? "He's my on-screen husband," says Vicki. "I can’t wait to do the first days' filming with him – it's more like a play day than working. If feel so blessed that I can work with someone that I really like." Is she allowed to reveal any secrets about the new shows? "We've done a James Bond-style stunt – we got our resident stuntman Steve Truglia to drive a Ford Sierra under an HGV. It was fantastic – the roof came off and he popped out the other side!" "We've edited it so it looks like I'm doing the stunt." "And then in a couple of weeks I'm going to try to reach 200mph for the first time ever in my life," says Vicki. "We're going to do it in an A1 GP car. We're going to have to tweak it a bit to actually reach 200. I'm going to give it my best shot. We'll be doing it at Bruntingthorpe in Leicestershire - an old airfield. I think the runway is a mile and a half long. "I'm really looking forward to it's the magical figure. 300mph doesn’t interest me because it's just stupid." Speaking of 300mph stunts on runways, what did Vicki think of Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond's 300mph jet-powered dragster crash? "It was a shock for us motoring TV show presenters," says Vicki. "We thought - there but for the grace of God go the rest of us. He was doing the same job that we do on Fifth Gear. It was very sobering." Next, some questions from our readers: Stuart Smith asks 'Have you ever been in trouble with the police?' "Yes! I've been caught twice by speed cameras and pulled over twice," says Vicki. "Nothing too horrific, just 85mph down the motorway. I've never been really naughty." "The couple of times I've been pulled over by police they've let me go with a caution because they've been able to appreciate the road conditions and work out that I'm not a danger. Whereas with a fixed position camera it just thinks 'she's speeding – boomph – ticket.' They're not even on accident blackspots, that's what really pees me off. That is a straight cash cow." "And one time I was pulled over for using my mobile phone while I was driving. It was before the ban came into place, and the police officer gave me a £30 fine as a smack on the bottom. Maybe they thought they were going to make an example of me." Gavin Wilkinson asks 'Have you still got your MK1 Volkswagen Golf?' "Yes, I have - it's my little honey bunny. I love that car. I love driving her. It’s a stunning, iconic shape. It was the best hot hatch of its generation. And you can actually see out of it, which is a rarity these days – in some of today's hot hatches it's like looking out of a letterbox. And with the MK1, people who know their cars appreciate how good it is." Car forum member JedrH asks 'Why did you pick the Honda S2000 as your personal transport?' "Because it's comparatively affordable compared to a 911 or something of that class," says Vicki. "It has fantastic handling, rear wheel drive, and no traction control whatsoever – it's a car for proper drivers. I don’t like traction control, and I don’t like driver aids. It's for people who want to be in control, and not for the car to be in control. "I'm very much looking forward to doing a bit of topless motoring in it now the sun's coming out. "It's been scratched twice – both times in Covent Garden. And it's definitely been malicious scratching – it's pathetic. One time on the rear flank, and one time on the door. Buffoons." Auto Trader links
Auto Talk: Vicki Butler-Henderson (2006)
Auto Talk: Fifth Gear stuntman Steve Truglia
Auto Talk: Fifth Gear's Jason Plato
Auto Talk: Richard Hammond
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