Kind words from Top Gear star

Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond still supports XT. Photo / Getty Images

The face of XT, Top Gear star Richard Hammond, has spoken out about the shambles, saying the launch was "all good fun" but he hadn't personally tested the service.

Hammond defended XT and Telecom, saying innovative projects always carried risks.

"There is always the risk that it doesn't work ... but these things have to be tried," Hammond told RadioLive yesterday.

"If you're trying to do something new, there's every possibility there'll be teething problems with it."

Radio host Marcus Lush questioned whether Hammond had tried XT, supposing that it had not been up and running when the TV commercials were filmed.

"Precisely," replied Hammond. "It was rather early back then.

"It was all good fun, and I wish them all the very best. I hope they sort themselves out, I really do."

Hammond laughed off suggestions that the XT shambles had undermined his "brand".

"I don't have a brand. I just present a television programme. Don't be ridiculous."

He refused to say what he was paid for the advertisements, which have been the butt of jokes from his fellow Top Gear presenters, Jeremy Clarkson and James May, during their recent New Zealand tour.

Fashion designer Annah Stretton, who was also paid to feature in the initial XT advertising campaign, last night remained loyal to the struggling network.

Stretton, who uses XT for herself and her companies, said the network's recent problems were "challenging" and she "could be happier" with them.

But there were still too many good things about the network for her to consider changing companies.

"It's challenging [as a customer] but it's definitely not something I'm looking at and saying 'I'm looking at getting another service provider'."

- STAFF REPORTER