Jeremy Clarkson takes bitter swipe at new The Grand Tour’s
The Grand Tour is making its big comeback to Prime Video after several years off-screen and the decision to pluck hosts from social media hasn’t gone down well with everyone
James Engelsman , Thomas Holland and Francis Bourgeois are the new hosts of The Grand Tour(Image: PRIME VIDEO)
Jeremy Clarkson has had his say on the The Grand Tour new social media star hosts.
Prime Video has confirmed that trainspotting influencer Francis Bourgeois and YouTubers James Engelsman and Thomas Holland will front the show, with Jeremy, Richard Hammond and James May having long departed. The show is coming back after a two-year hiatus and Jeremy took to the show official account to issue his verdict on the changes.
Pretending to look through the CVs of would-be presenters, he let everyone know his thoughts – and it wasn’t overly positive about the in-coming petrolheads or the old ones! He started: “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!’
Thomas’s CV was next up, and Jezza said: “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.”
Jeremy Clarkson assessed the hosts – old and new(Image: Instagram/The Grand Tour/Jeremy Clarkson/Prime Video UK & IE)
Francis’ CV was given the once-over(Image: Instagram/The Grand Tour/Jeremy Clarkson/Prime Video UK & IE)
Confirming TikTok star Francis is known to him, and the broadcaster said: “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 was dismissed as he threw the paper as he threw in a cutting: “Blah. I’m 5ft4.” In-coming James’ CV finished his review and he told the camera: “Once reviewed an entire car using only sarcasm. Height depends on what dating app you find him on. That’s funny.” On the new hosts, he concludes: “Let’s get them in, they look good, get them in.”
The original Grand Tour trio were last seen back in 2024 in the episode titled One for the Road, before driving off into the Botswana sunset. Speaking about taking up the new role, Francis said: “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.”
While fellow presenter Holland said, “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.”
Since wrapping up The Grand Tour, Clarkson has been busy with his other hit Prime Video series, Clarkson’s Farm, with work recently completed on the fifth season. Season four of Clarkson’s Farm was also a huge success, averaging 4.4 million viewers per episode in 2025.
Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond are no longer presenting The Grand Tour(Image: GETTY)
Meanwhile, Hammond now hosts his show Richard Hammond’s Workshop, focusing on car restoration near his home as he tries to build up his business.
May is also busy with his own show, James May’s Shed Load Of Ideas, which launched last year and sees him taking on Britain’s most annoying problems with some ingenious inventions.
The Grand Tour returns to Prime Video later this year
