TOP Gear presenter Richard Hammond has been announced as a late additon to The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival line-up.

Organisers confirmed that ‘the hamster’ would be appearing at the Centaur at Cheltenham Racecourse on Friday, October 9 from 8.45pm to 10pm.

His new book, Did I Say That?, offers more of the wry, honest and often hilarious chronicles of the TV presenter - focussing on just a few of the many hair-raising stunts, expeditions and encounters experienced by him over the last eventful year.

Tickets are on sale from 0844 576 7979 or online at http://cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature-2009/richard-hammond/ and in person from the Town Hall Box Office.