The Grand Tour Reboot: Meet the New Hosts
The Grand Tour, the popular Prime Video motoring show, is set to return with a new lineup of hosts. According to sources, the show’s producers have chosen petrol-head YouTube stars Thomas Holland and James Engelsman, along with social media sensation Francis Bourgeois, to replace Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May.
The Sun understands that Thomas, a Canadian, and James, a Brit, are set to bring their knowledge and passion for cars to the show. Their YouTube brand, Throttle House, has gained a massive following of 3.2 million subscribers and regularly attracts over 2.5 million views per video.
A source close to the show revealed, "Thomas and James are as knowledgeable about motors as Jeremy, Richard and James — the only difference is they’re younger, cooler and a lot more social media savvy."
Francis Bourgeois, a 24-year-old trainspotting sensation, is also set to join the show. He has become a viral sensation thanks to his love of trainspotting and has interviewed stars including Jesse Lingard, AJ Tracey, Tom Daley, and Louis Theroux. Francis, whose real name is Luke Magnus Nicolson, has 2.4 million followers on Instagram and another 3.3 million on TikTok.
The new hosts were discovered by Prime Video bosses who are looking to revamp the show. The Sun revealed in March that Francis was in talks to join the lineup.
What to Expect from the New Lineup
Thomas and James’ Throttle House brand is known for its road tests and reviews, which have gained a massive following. Thomas, a biology graduate, launched the channel in 2015 "out of boredom," and fan James joined three years later after meeting in Toronto.
Francis, who studied mechanical engineering at the University of Nottingham, was briefly hired by Rolls-Royce. He was also invited by Palace aides in 2023 to meet the Prince and Princess of Wales as the royal couple travelled on the Elizabeth line in London.
The Departure of the Original Hosts
Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May filmed their final episode of The Grand Tour last year. The trio, who have been hosting the show since its launch in 2016, revealed that they were leaving due to creative differences and a desire to move on.
During their final trip, titled One for the Road, Jeremy revealed a reason for wanting to wrap up the programme – his disinterest in electric cars, which he branded "s**t". In an interview with The Sunday Times, he said, "After 36 years of talking about cars on television, I’m packing it in, because I’m too old and too fat to get into the cars I like and not interested in driving those I don’t."
A New Era for The Grand Tour
The Grand Tour has been a hit show for Prime Video since its launch in 2016. The show’s original hosts, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May, have become household names and have gained a massive following.
The show’s new lineup is set to bring a fresh perspective to the world of motoring. With Thomas, James, and Francis at the helm, fans can expect more exciting and informative content.
Series Guide
The Grand Tour has aired five epic series of motoring adventures, each taking place in different locations and featuring celebrity guests.
- Series 1: Aired from 2016 to 2017 and took the presenters to a number of foreign locales, including Jordan, Morocco, and Italy.
- Series 2: Aired from 2017 to 2018 and saw the presenters drive their way across Europe, testing out some of their dream vehicles.
- Series 3: Crossed continents, from North America to South America, Europe, and Asia, putting both new vehicles and classic sports cars through their paces.
- Series 4: Consisted entirely of feature-length specials, which aired between 2019 and 2021.
- Series 5: The final series, which consisted of four feature-length specials, including the emotional final episode, One for the Road.
The Sun has launched a brand new membership programme – Sun Club. Unlock even more award-winning articles and get exclusive benefits by joining today.
