A royal triumph and scary crash

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, September 26, 2026

Justin Timberlake's album *FutureSex/LoveSounds* and single *SexyBack* both reached number one on the UK charts in September 2006, while Snow Patrol's *Eyes Open* became the country's best-selling album of the year. The month also featured Helen Mirren's acclaimed performance in *The Queen*, a serious crash involving *Top Gear* presenter Richard Hammond, and England rugby player Matt Dawson winning the first *Celebrity MasterChef*.

In September 2006, several notable events unfolded across the entertainment and sports industries, marked by chart-topping music releases, critical film acclaim, a serious accident, and a celebrity cooking competition victory.

Justin Timberlake solidified his solo career with the release of his second album, *FutureSex/LoveSounds*, which reached the number one position on the UK album charts on September 23. Earlier that month, Timberlake’s single *SexyBack* also claimed the top spot on September 9, reflecting his continued popularity following the breakup of boy band N-Sync.

Meanwhile, the band Snow Patrol achieved significant success with their fourth studio album, *Eyes Open*. The album topped the UK charts twice during September and ultimately became the best-selling album in the country for 2006. This release marked a breakthrough for the Northern Irish rock group, bringing them international recognition.

In the realm of film, actress Helen Mirren received widespread acclaim for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in *The Queen*, which premiered in the UK on September 15. Directed by Stephen Frears, the film dramatizes the British royal family’s response to the death of Princess Diana in 1997. The movie led the UK box office on release and went on to earn Mirren both an Academy Award and a British Academy Film Award for her performance.

The month also saw a serious incident involving television presenter Richard Hammond of the show *Top Gear*. On September 20, Hammond was critically injured in a crash while driving a jet-powered car at speeds reaching 288 mph. The accident occurred at a former air base near York. Reports indicated that Hammond suffered significant injuries but survived the high-speed collision.

On a lighter note, England rugby player Matt Dawson made headlines by winning the first series of *Celebrity MasterChef* on September 29. Dawson triumphed over other contestants including Sue Perkins, Tony Hadley, Graeme Le Saux, and Charlie Dimmock, showcasing his culinary skills in the cooking competition.

These diverse events highlighted a month marked by both triumph and adversity in the spheres of popular culture, entertainment, and sports.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.