Clarkson, Hammond, and May to Appear in New 'The Grand Tour' Era

Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May are set to return to "The Grand Tour" next month, appearing in cameo roles for the show's rebooted seventh series. This marks a return for the original presenting trio, who had previously indicated they would not be making new episodes after concluding their run in 2024 with the special "One for the Road."

Prime Video has enlisted motoring YouTubers Thomas Holland and James Engelsman, along with railway enthusiast and social media personality Francis Bourgeois, to host the latest iteration of the series, which is scheduled to launch on September 4. This new lineup takes over after Clarkson, Hammond, and May ended their more than two decades of collaboration, which began with "Top Gear" and continued with "The Grand Tour" on Prime Video since 2016.

Andy Wilman, co-creator and executive producer of "The Grand Tour," confirmed the original presenters' support for the new team. "We've got three guys coming soon with a new Grand Tour and we've got behind them. We're really supporting them," Wilman stated at the Buckingham Literary Festival, as reported by The Sun. He added that Clarkson, Hammond, and May will appear in the shows doing cameos, signifying a handover to the new talent. "Our guys are in the shows doing cameos, so we're wishing them well because we do want to pass that baton on."

Wilman explained the decision to select presenters already immersed in car culture rather than established television personalities. "When those three go away, you can't parachute in three new, good presenters who are funny. 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," he told 3Bs Radio. The new trio of Holland, Engelsman, and Bourgeois have each cultivated significant online followings through their passion for motoring and transport.

Clarkson's views on the show's future align with Wilman's strategy. He previously suggested that new hosts should be "absolute petrolheads" with an encyclopedic knowledge of cars, rather than merely enthusiasts. "There's no point hiring somebody who 'likes' cars. Because that's not enough," Clarkson had said. He advocated for starting small with unknowns who possess a deep understanding of automotive details, stating, "I've got to be able to show them a picture of a quarter of a door mirror from any car ever made, and they've got to know what it is."

This reboot signifies the first full series of "The Grand Tour" without Clarkson, Hammond, and May as the primary hosts. The trio first achieved widespread recognition on the BBC's "Top Gear," transforming it into a global phenomenon with their blend of road trips, studio segments, and challenges. Their move to Prime Video in 2016 for "The Grand Tour" continued their success.

Clarkson has remained active in the public eye with "Clarkson's Farm," which has become a popular factual entertainment program on Prime Video. Meanwhile, Hammond and May have pursued individual television and online projects. Recently, Clarkson shared his experience battling prostate cancer, for which he is now in remission. He noted that the health scare has led him to adopt a slower driving style, increase his walking, and adopt a vegetarian diet, stating he wishes to see his grandchildren grow up. His cancer diagnosis and treatment were revealed during the fifth series of "Clarkson's Farm," as his treatment required him to miss filming. The star had previously experienced heart problems and underwent HIFU treatment for the tumor. He underwent emergency treatment after restarting blood-thinning medication for his heart issues without consulting his doctors.