Jeremy Clarkson gives blessing to new Grand Tour hosts
The Grand Tour co-creator Andy Wilman has revealed how Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond have reacted to the show's new presenters.
Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond have given their blessing to the new Grand Tour hosts
The trio, who previously worked together on Top Gear before launching Amazon Prime Video's hit motoring show, stepped down in 2024 and have been replaced by social media stars Francis Bourgeois, Thomas Holland and James Engelsman.
Executive producer Andy Wilman has told The Sun newspaper that Jeremy was happy to give his approval provided the relatively unknown group "don't f*** it up".
He added: "Jeremy said he’d ‘only endorse them as long as I like them’. So he watches the tapes and he’s like, ‘Yes, I really like them. I’m happy to endorse’.
"There’s no way he’d endorse someone for a show he helped to create if he didn’t like them. He wouldn’t.
“He was on the front foot as soon as he saw them. Richard and James were the same.”
In the first episode of the new series, there will be a scene where the new hosts meet Jeremy at his Farmer's Dog pub and ask for the Grand Tour's tent back.
Prime Video went with motoring YouTubers Thomas and James, together with railway enthusiast and social media personality Francis, to front the latest version of the show when it launches on 4 September.
Speaking at the Buckingham Literary Festival, The Grand Tour co-creator and executive producer Andy was quoted by The Sun saying the original presenters were backing the new team.
He said: “We’ve got three guys coming soon with a new Grand Tour and we’ve got behind them. We’re really supporting them.”
Andy added: “Our guys are in the shows doing cameos, so we’re wishing them well because we do want to pass that baton on.”
Speaking to 3Bs Radio, Andy explained why the production team had opted for presenters who were already immersed in car culture rather than established television personalities.
He added: “When those three go away, you can’t parachute in three new, good presenters who are funny.
"That’s like describing the show over the phone to an alien – ‘You just need three funny blokes and they muck about’. It’s not going to work.”
