Jeremy Clarkson Delivers Scathing Verdict on New Grand Tour Hosts
Jeremy Clarkson has publicly shared his thoughts on the newly announced hosts for the upcoming revival of The Grand Tour on Prime Video, and his commentary is as brutally honest as fans have come to expect. The original presenter, known for his no-nonsense approach, took to the show's official social media account to review the CVs of both the incoming social media stars and his former co-hosts, Richard Hammond and James May.
Prime Video Confirms Social Media Star Line-Up
Prime Video has officially confirmed that The Grand Tour will return after a two-year hiatus with a completely new presenting team. The iconic motoring show will now be fronted by trainspotting influencer Francis Bourgeois and popular YouTubers James Engelsman and Thomas Holland. This marks a significant departure from the original trio of Clarkson, Hammond, and May, who last appeared together in the 2024 episode titled One for the Road.
The decision to recruit hosts from social media platforms has generated considerable discussion among fans and critics alike. While some applaud the move to attract younger audiences, others have expressed skepticism about whether the new presenters can fill the substantial shoes left by the original team.
Clarkson's Hilarious CV Review Session
In a video posted to The Grand Tour's official Instagram account, Clarkson pretended to sift through applications from prospective presenters, offering his trademark sarcastic commentary on each candidate. He began with his former colleague James May, stating: "These are the CVs from all the people who want to be a presenter on the show. Hello, my name is James May... God, he sounds dull!"
Moving to the new hosts, Clarkson reviewed Thomas Holland's application with characteristic wit: "Once held a 1300 metre drift. Zero evidence has been uncovered. Frequently presents an opinion as if it is fact and then if challenged will change the subject. Yes, funny man."
When he reached Francis Bourgeois's CV, Clarkson acknowledged the TikTok star's online fame: "I know this one, he's the train man from the internet! He’s got a cycling proficiency test, 2020 vision, but claims he can see behind him. Yes..."
Richard Hammond received perhaps the most dismissive treatment, with Clarkson simply throwing his paper aside while commenting: "Blah. I'm 5ft4."
Finally, Clarkson reviewed James Engelsman's application, noting: "Once reviewed an entire car using only sarcasm. Height depends on what dating app you find him on. That’s funny."
New Hosts Acknowledge the Challenge Ahead
The incoming presenters have openly acknowledged the daunting task of replacing the original Grand Tour trio. Francis Bourgeois commented: "The saying ‘big shoes to fill’ springs to mind. 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."
Thomas Holland offered a similarly humorous perspective, revealing: "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.'"
Where Are the Original Presenters Now?
Since concluding their work on The Grand Tour, the original presenters have pursued successful individual projects. Jeremy Clarkson has been focusing on his hit Prime Video series Clarkson's Farm, with the fifth season recently completed. The fourth season proved particularly successful, averaging an impressive 4.4 million viewers per episode in 2025.
Richard Hammond now hosts Richard Hammond's Workshop, a show centered on car restoration near his home as he works to expand his business. Meanwhile, James May launched his own program last year titled James May's Shed Load Of Ideas, which sees him tackling Britain's most persistent problems with inventive solutions.
The Grand Tour is scheduled to return to Prime Video later this year with its new presenting team, marking a new chapter for the beloved motoring series that originally debuted in 2016.
