Jeremy Clarkson has offered an early verdict on the new era of The Grand Tour, describing the recently unveiled presenter line-up as “very, very good” after previewing clips from filming.
The former Top Gear host, also known for his hit Amazon Prime series Clarkson’s Farm, continues to juggle life on his Oxfordshire holdings, which include Diddly Squat Farm in Chadlington and the popular pub The Farmer’s Dog in Asthall. Clarkson has remained a fixture in motoring television for decades, with The Grand Tour cementing his post-Top Gear career alongside long-time co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May. The trio entertained audiences for eight years following the show’s 2016 debut, concluding their run in 2024 with one final special, The Grand Tour: One For The Road, filmed across Zimbabwe and Botswana.
Earlier this year, Prime Video announced a bold new chapter for the franchise, recruiting three fresh faces to carry the motoring torch. The new team comprises trainspotter-turned-social media sensation Francis Bourgeois, along with James Engelsman and Thomas Holland, all set to inject their own energy and personalities into the well-known format.
Writing in his column for The Times, Clarkson revealed that he had previewed some of the trio’s work, and his reaction was overwhelmingly positive. “I’ve seen some of it, and it is very, very good,” he said, offering a rare glimpse of his thoughts on the reboot.
Clarkson, now 66, has long maintained a close creative relationship with producer Andy Wilman, and it appears the show’s original production team is still involved behind the scenes. Speaking to Autocar journalists Steve Cropley and Matt Prior on their podcast, he noted: “Don’t be hasty. Do not be hasty. I think Andy’s involved to some extent. Difficult to work out how much, but he’s definitely involved. I know this because I heard his voice on the guide track of their film.”
While acknowledging that the new presenters are entirely different personalities compared to himself, Hammond, and May, Clarkson was quick to praise their comedic timing and on-screen chemistry. “Oh, it’s different. I mean, it’s different because they’re three completely different people to us, but they’re bl**dy funny,” he said, hinting that the beloved formula of high-octane adventures and offbeat humour will endure, albeit in a fresh and modern package.
Fans of The Grand Tour will undoubtedly be watching closely as the new trio prepares to take viewers on a journey across new roads and terrains. With Clarkson’s stamp of approval and Wilman’s creative hand still present, the show appears poised to continue the legacy of one of motoring television’s most successful franchises.
