It’s a big day for fans of middle-aged men in stone-washed jeans because Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May are returning to The Grand Tour.
The former Top Gear trio are reportedly set to make a surprise comeback two years after their final adventure.
While the exact details of Clarkson, Hammond, and May’s return aren’t known at the moment, it’s thought they’ll help introduce the viewers to the new Grand Tour crew.
Earlier this year, Amazon annouced that trainspotter Francis Bourgeois and motoring YouTubers Thomas Holland (no, not the historian or actor) and James Engelsman would be hosting a revived version of the popular show.
‘We’ve got three guys coming soon with a new Grand Tour, and we’ve got behind them,’ Andy Wilman, co-creator and executive producer of Clarkson’s Farm, told 3Bs radio at the Buckingham Literary Festival [via The Sun].
‘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.’
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Wilman also explained how The Grand Tour needs more than just silly hosts.
‘When those three (Clarkson and co) 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.’
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.’
The new boys have admitted, meanwhile, they know they’ve got a lot to live up to taking over The Grand Tour in a press release.
‘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 meanwhile 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’.
Thomas 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.”’
Wilman issure, however, that the new presenters will do agreat job because ‘they are doing it right.’
‘Not only do they have passion and knowledge, but more importantly, they are in no way cardboard cutouts of the old three,’ he continued. ‘They have a delightful chemistry that’s all of their own making.’
The Grand Tour returns to Prime Video on 4 September