Leave a lane gap when overtaking a foreign lorry. Is this good advice?

I do lots of motorway driving. I play football in Maidstone, I shop at Bluewater a lot and my girlfriend lives in Surrey. Obviously I own a car and have a full driving licence so making these journeys is not a problem, but I frequently encounter European lorries on these motorways. I have been told about these when I was learning, and quite frankly it involves much anticipation just to pass those left-hand drive lorries as they cannot see cars to their right, so if a European HGV tries to overtake something, it could end in tragedy. Thankfully I watched an episode of Fifth Gear where the issue is covered, and Tiff Needell says to leave a lane between me and the foreign lorry (i.e. the lorry is in the left lane so I overtake it in the right lane instead of the middle lane). Here's the Fifth Gear episode:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=He7CQ6kA5Iw

I even overtake foreign lorries in this manner, but my parents told me that it could be classed as lane hogging because I've left an empty lane between me and the foreign lorry, and lane hogging is illegal and punishable by means of fines of up to £100 and points on my licence because someone behind might get angry and start tailgating or overtake on the left. But I am dead if a lorry sideswipes my tiny little Corsa. What's the best course of action? Do I take Fifth Gear's advice or not?