Billy Monger's life off-screen from real age, near fatal crash and Paralympics hopes
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Billy Monger lost both of his legs after a horrific crash, just days before his 18th birthday. The racing driver, 25, has been driving since he was three, when his father bought him his first go-kart. He competed all over the UK and the Channel Islands before he joined the F4 British Championship. In 2016 - aged just 17 - he achieved three podium finishes in his first season. His wins cemented his reputation as a young British driving talent.
He remained with the team for the 2017 season - but it was sadly cut short by a horrific crash in 2017. Billy was involved in what was described as one of British motorsports most horrific crashes resulting in a double leg amputation. He smashed into a stationary vehicle at 120mph during the Formula 4 championship race in April 2017. He was seen rounding another vehicle that blocked his view of Finnish racer Patrik Pasma's slowed car, before crashing into it.
Billy was trapped inside his vehicle for more than 90 minutes at the Derby racetrack, before he was airlifted to hospital in Nottingham. Although he underwent a series of operations, doctors were unable to save his lower legs. The astonishing journey from his crash to his comeback was documented in documentary, Driven: The Billy Monger Story, which aired on the BBC in November 2018.
Billy is back driving after his crash and has also gone to to appear on a number of hit TV shows. Following on from his Comic Relief appearance, Billy was announced as one of the stars taking part in the BBC's 2023 series of Celebrity Race Across The World.
