Richard Hammond has admitted that he has no intention of taking part in Total Wipeout’s obstacle course, saying that he prefers to watch from the sidelines.

Speaking to We Love Telly! magazine, he commented: “What do you want me to do, admire the people who do it? They’re lunatics. Why would you do that to yourself?

“Watching The Sweeper, you’re doubled up and cringing – not with sympathy, just imagining: ‘God, what if I was doing it?’ And it’s a relief that you’re not. I’ve conceded that it is marginally terrifying.”

He added: “I like sitting on my little platform and observing from a distance. It seems to be something that most contestants have done because their children have told them to. You can see the pressure they’re under not to look a fool when it’s on TV.”

The second series of the show kicked off on BBC One last night, you can watch the clip above.