Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May are set to make a surprise return to The Grand Tour, two years after their final adventure. The former Top Gear trio will reportedly help introduce viewers to the new Grand Tour crew.
Supporting the New Hosts
Earlier this year, Amazon announced that trainspotter Francis Bourgeois and motoring YouTubers Thomas Holland and James Engelsman would host a revived version of the show. Andy Wilman, co-creator and executive producer of Clarkson's Farm, confirmed the original trio's involvement in a radio interview at the Buckingham Literary Festival.
'We've got three guys coming soon with a new Grand Tour, and we've got behind them,' Wilman said. 'We're really supporting them. Our guys are in the shows doing cameos, so we're wishing them well because we do want to pass that baton on.'
Wilman's Take on the New Presenters
Wilman explained that The Grand Tour requires more than just funny hosts. 'When those three go away, you can't parachute in three new, good presenters who are funny,' he said. '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.'
He expressed confidence in the new team, noting, 'Not only do they have passion and knowledge, but more importantly, they are in no way cardboard cutouts of the old three. They have a delightful chemistry that's all of their own making.'
Clarkson's Endorsement
Clarkson has already given the new trio his seal of approval. 'I've seen the guys being chosen in the early days, and I've seen some of the stuff they've been doing. And it's very, very good,' he told the Radio Times. 'It's different because they're three completely different people to us. But they're bl**dy funny. You shall see. You shall see.'
'But no, I'm pretty confident it will work. I mean, touch wood, from everybody's point of view. We all want it to work, and I'd love the idea that the Grand Tour carries on.'
New Hosts Acknowledge the Challenge
The new presenters have admitted they know they have a lot to live up to. 'The saying "big shoes to fill" springs to mind,' said Bourgeois. 'Well, in this case it'll be like Mo Farah running in Size 14 wellies — it'll be a little awkward at first, perhaps blister-inducing but will overall be an interesting watch.'
Engelsman joked that he's worked with Holland for almost a decade making car films and never realised that 'the one ingredient that was missing was a Francis Bourgeois'. Holland added: 'When I first heard they were rebooting The Grand Tour and replacing Clarkson, Hammond and May, I said, "only a moron would take that job."'
The Grand Tour returns to Prime Video on 4 September.
