The iconic trio of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May are making a surprise return to The Grand Tour, two years after their last adventure together. The former Top Gear hosts are reportedly set to appear in cameo roles to help introduce viewers to the new presenting team, according to reports from The Sun.
Supporting the New Crew
Andy Wilman, co-creator and executive producer of Clarkson's Farm, confirmed the news during an appearance at the Buckingham Literary Festival. Speaking to 3Bs radio, Wilman revealed that the original presenters are fully behind the new lineup. 'We've got three guys coming soon with a new Grand Tour, and we've got behind them,' he 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.'
The new hosts, announced earlier this year by Amazon, include trainspotter Francis Bourgeois and motoring YouTubers Thomas Holland and James Engelsman. Wilman emphasized that the show's success depends on more than just having funny presenters. 'When those three go away, you can't parachute in three new, good presenters who are funny,' he explained. '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.'
Clarkson's Seal of Approval
Clarkson has already given the new trio his enthusiastic endorsement. In an interview with the Radio Times, he praised their early work: '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. It's different because they're three completely different people to us. But they're bl**dy funny. You shall see. You shall see.'
He expressed confidence in the show's future, adding: '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 face a daunting task filling the shoes of their predecessors. In a press release, Bourgeois humorously noted, '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.'
Engelsman joked about his long collaboration with Holland, saying he never realized 'the one ingredient that was missing was a Francis Bourgeois'. Holland, meanwhile, revealed his initial reaction to the reboot: '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."'
Wilman's Confidence in the New Format
Despite the pressure, Wilman is optimistic about the new direction. He praised the new hosts for their unique qualities: '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.'
The Grand Tour is scheduled to return to Prime Video on 4 September, with the original trio's cameos expected to bridge the gap between the old and new eras of the show.
