The motoring world is shifting gears as Amazon Prime Video's flagship automotive series, The Grand Tour, officially unveils its brand-new presenting line-up. This marks a definitive end to the era of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May, who have departed the show after nearly a decade at the helm.
A New Generation Takes the Wheel
In a significant shake-up for the popular programme, the baton has been passed to a trio of digital-native stars. The new hosts are YouTube personalities Thomas Holland and James Engelsman, creators of the successful car review channel Throttle House, alongside TikTok sensation Francis Bourgeois, renowned for his passionate trainspotting content.
Meet the New Faces
The first official image released by Prime Video shows Thomas, James, and Francis leaning casually against a vibrantly painted car, signalling a fresh, contemporary energy for the series.
Thomas Holland and James Engelsman bring considerable petrolhead credentials from their YouTube venture, Throttle House. The channel, which boasts an impressive 3.2 million subscribers, is dedicated to testing and reviewing a wide array of vehicles. Canadian biology graduate Thomas started the channel in 2015, later joined by fan-turned-co-host James Engelsman three years later.
Francis Bourgeois, whose real name is Luke Magnus Nicolson, commands a massive social media following exceeding 6 million across platforms. He rose to fame through his eccentric and endearing trainspotting videos on TikTok, where his account alone has over 3.3 million followers. His appeal has transcended the platform, earning him fans including the Prince and Princess of Wales and musician Stormzy.
The End of an Era for the Original Trio
The departure of Clarkson, Hammond, and May last September marked an emotional conclusion to their long-running partnership, which began on BBC's Top Gear over two decades ago. Jeremy Clarkson, 65, candidly admitted the team was running low on ideas and described themselves as becoming "unfit, fat and old."
Since leaving The Grand Tour, the original presenters have pursued separate projects. They featured in Amazon's "The Not Very Grand Tour," which aired earlier this year, while Clarkson made a guest appearance on the motoring show "Car SOS." In a nostalgic moment, Hammond and May recently revisited their old Top Gear studio, describing the experience as "almost traumatising" yet filled with memories.
What to Expect from the New Series
The newly confirmed trio will front a six-part series, promising to drive across some of the globe's most demanding and spectacular terrains in a diverse fleet of vehicles. This continues the show's tradition of epic automotive adventures while injecting a new perspective shaped by social media fame.
Francis Bourgeois has previously expressed his broad mechanical passions, stating in an interview: "I was just fixated by these big machines. Ever since, I've had a passion for trains, cars, planes." His enthusiasm, combined with the proven automotive expertise of Holland and Engelsman, sets the stage for a dynamic new chapter.
The Grand Tour is scheduled to return to Amazon Prime Video later this year, ushering in this new era for one of streaming's most recognisable motoring franchises.
