Recognising that "Top Gear" has little relevance to everyday motoring, I wish the Hamster well, and am pleased that he seems to be recovering.

Top Gear gnerally restricts itself to playing with toys few people can afford, in exotic locations most humdrum wage-slaves can only dream about (not including Elvington, of course). In my opinion, it does not encourage "boy racers" nor advocate the purchase of unduly expensive, thirsty and obstructive SUV's.

The programme did once take issue with the proliferation of speed cameras, pointing out that a 150 percent increase in revenue from speeding fines could claim statistically to have saved only four lives. (There are of course lies, damned lies and statistics.)