The former paratrooper's dogged fightback from a landmine blast - in which he lost both his legs - has already changed the belief of therapists who said he may never walk again.

And the badly injured Lance Bombadier is hopeful of a further boost to his rehabilitation at the Hedley Court rehab centre in Surrey, of which Clarkson is patron, by spending a day on the set of the BBC's Top Gear show.

Ben's mum Diane Dernie from Wheatley Hills said: "Ben is in marvellous spirits. We had a meeting a couple of weeks ago when they said it was more than likely he wouldn't walk again although he would be given legs so he could balance himself.

"When they told Ben this he just said that it just means he might be able to walk again and as far as he's concerned he will do. That's how determined he is.

"Within a fortnight the occupational therapists have now changed that opinion. They're now pretty sure that he'll be able to stand and walk in some fashion."

She added: "We have met Jeremy several times both him and his wife.

When Jeremy met Ben he was deeply unconscious on both occasions but his wife has been and visited many times since. They're incredible. They come and have a talk with the boys and have a laugh with them.

"All the boys think Jeremy Clarkson is the best. You can forget all your politicians and your generals, they all love Jeremy. All the lads went down to the set for the last series but Ben was unconscious. We're hoping before the end of this series that Ben can go down there though."

The Tickhill bred TV star became involved in the cause to get better facilities for Britain's war wounded after visiting Ben at the Selly Oak hospital in Birmingham last year.

He and his wife Francine, whose father was a Victoria Cross winner, are frequent visitors to Hedley Court as it is only half an hour away from the Top Gear set.

Mrs Dernie is still awaiting news of a Government review on compensation packages after her son was awarded just £152,150 by the Ministry of Defence for the injuries he sustained while serving in Afghanistan tackling the Taliban.

The Free Press has set up a 'Help brave Ben' appeal to support the 23-year-old former paratrooper and details of how to donate are on the left.