Jeremy Clarkson expressed a surprisingly candid reaction upon previewing footage from the latest iteration of The Grand Tour. Despite Amazon’s efforts to keep the former presenting trio removed from the revamped show, Clarkson was among a select few given an early look at the new series. He was reportedly impressed by the current presenters, even admitting a touch of jealousy over a particular scene they created.
Andy Wilman, the producer behind both the original Grand Tour and its predecessor Top Gear, provided insight during an appearance on the podcast TellyCast. Since Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May stepped down from hosting duties, the show has been fronted by YouTube motoring experts Thomas Holland and James Engelsman from Throttle House, alongside viral trainspotting sensation Francis Bourgeois.
Wilman explained that the original hosts were not simply handed finished episodes but were shown selected clips to gauge the direction of the new programme. “They didn’t see anything but version two,” Wilman noted. Clarkson was keen to view a reasonable amount of new material before endorsing the series, confirming he and his former co-hosts would not support anything substandard.
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The early response was positive: Clarkson reportedly said, “Oh, they’re good. They’re good, they’re good,” expressing clear approval of the new presenters. He even met with the newcomers and supported the show’s fresh approach.
However, a particular segment filmed in Malaysia, which opened with a spectacular venue in Singapore, sparked a different reaction from Clarkson. Watching the footage, he questioned why the original Grand Tour team had never attempted such a sequence. As Wilman recalled, Clarkson said, “Why the f*** didn’t we do this?” To which Wilman jokingly replied, “Alright, you know, what are you going to do, fire me?”
Wilman acknowledged that Clarkson appeared “quite jealous” of some of the new presenters’ achievements, though this was taken in good humour. The endorsement extended beyond Clarkson, with Hammond and May agreeing to appear briefly in the series.
This positive backing has been warmly received by the new team. Francis Bourgeois, 26, told the Press Association that Clarkson, Hammond, and May have been “so warm and open,” viewing their blessing as a significant boost.
The current series marks a notable transition for The Grand Tour, which began in 2016 after the original trio left Top Gear. May had previously suggested they had “exhausted” the subject. Holland, Engelsman, and Bourgeois now lead the show’s signature challenges across locations like the US, Malaysia, and Angola, undertaking more ambitious motoring adventures.
The new six-episode series is set to premiere on Prime Video on 4 September, with appearances from the original presenters included throughout.