Richard Hammond, of Grosvenor Crescent, entered the second series of BBC hit show The Restaurant with his partner Scott Sheppard - but neither of the experienced BA cabin crew staff expected to be picked.

The show follows a number of couples as they take over the day-to-day running of an established restaurant. In true reality TV style the teams not only have to successfully run the business but also tackle a number of tasks - with judges voting out the weakest couple each week.

The pair were called up to London earlier in the year after TV bosses were impressed with their application form but Mr Hammond says he didn't think for one minute they would be selected from the 4,000 hopefuls.

Speaking to The Observer about the show, Mr Hammond said: "We had to go through a few different stages of the application and once we were picked we then had to go on a training course to qualify for a licence to sell alcohol and to pick up some of the basics.

"Then we were handed a set of keys to our restaurant."

Mr Hammond, 41 and Mr Sheppard, 32, were left in charge of a pizzeria in, of all place, St Leonards Road in Surbiton. As if that was not coincidence enough the couple who usually ran the business were also both former air crew staff.

The budding managers quickly settled in to the task - getting to grips with budgets, decorating the restaurant, hiring staff and designing a menu. Tasks the couple took to with aplomb - making the most money of any team in the first week.

However, Mr Hammond was quick to stress it was not all fun and games. He said: "It was very stressful. "We were running the restaurant two days a week and on Fridays and Saturdays we were not getting home until gone 3am.

"We got some staff from an agency and they were literally the staff from hell.

"I think the producers wanted more tears and tantrums but all the teams got on really well."

Unfortunately, just as the St Leonards' couple were getting use to the restaurant trade Mr Hammond was struck down with gastroentrinitis meaning the judges had no choice but to vote them off.

Despite the blow of such an early exit the couple remain positive about the experience and they are now in talks with a TV company about starring in their own travel and cookery show.

As well as impending stardom, Mr Hammond is also launching his own energy drink - Mile High Drinks - which is being aimed specifically at airlines for serving mid-flight. High street giants Waitrose will begin stocking it next month.

It seems for these two ambitious cabin crew workers the sky is the limit.