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Recovering TV star Richard Hammond was celebrating today after the show which made his name won a major award.

Top Gear, which also stars Jeremy Clarkson and James May, picked up the gong for Most Popular Factual Programme at the National TV Awards last night.

And Clarkson revealed Hammond had told him to break a leg.

Clarkson said: "I got a text from Hamster earlier. He said break a leg - in fact I hope he breaks both legs. He's completely delighted. I told you if one of us had a car crash we'd win this."

Hammond is recovering at home after crashing at almost 300mph while filming for the show in September.

Clarkson and fellow presenter James May collected the award at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Hammond, 36, has said he intends to be back in front of the cameras in January.

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