Hammond to host primetime TV show

Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond has landed a job presenting his own Saturday night show.

Hammond will host the BBC One version of Australian assault course gameshow Wipeout, to be rebranded as Total Wipeout by the corporation.

BBC controller of entertainment commissioning Elaine Bedell told Broadcast: "We were very keen to put Richard firstly on a BBC One show and secondly on Saturday nights, so it was a case of making sure we found the right [show] for him."

The format, which debuted in the US in June, sees 24 contestants battling to complete an assault course. The first four then tackle a massive obstacle course in the hope of winning a cash pot.

Endemol Indie Initial is filming eight episodes for the BBC on the company's newly-built set in Argentina.