Hopes for Richard Hammond's recovery were raised today after the Top Gear star was removed from intensive care.

The motoring presenter was seriously injured after he crashed at Elvington Airfield, near York, during filming for the TV show earlier this week.

He was driving a yellow jet-powered vampire dragster when it crashed at a reported speed of 300mph.

Initial reports left fans fearing the worst as the 10,000 horsepower car was shown to be severely damaged and Richard was rushed to the intensive care ward of Leeds General Infirmary.

Fellow presenters Jeremy Clarkson and James May both visited the star and Clarkson told The Sun newspaper he had made Richard, nicknamed Hamster, smile after telling him the accident had occurred because he was a c*** driver.

And there was further cheer this morning after TV news reports that the 36-year-old star had been removed from intensive care.

It has also been suggested he may be relocated to a hospital nearer his home in Gloucestershire, moving him closer to his wife Mindy and two children.

Check back later for further updates.

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