Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May will return to The Grand Tour next month in cameo roles on Prime Video. The original presenting trio are making appearances in the rebooted seventh series to help introduce the new line-up, two years after saying they would not make any new episodes.
Jeremy, 66, alongside Richard Hammond, 56, and James May, 63, will feature as the streaming service launches a six-part series on September 4. Prime Video has enlisted motoring YouTubers Thomas Holland and James Engelsman, together with railway enthusiast and social media personality Francis Bourgeois, to front the programme.
The move follows the departure of the original hosts after they finished their run with the special One for the Road in 2024. That final episode ended more than two decades of working together across Top Gear and The Grand Tour.
Since leaving, Jeremy has remained in the spotlight through Clarkson's Farm, which has become one of Prime Video's biggest factual entertainment hits. Meanwhile, Richard and James have continued with separate television and online projects.
Producer support and new presenter selection
Speaking at the Buckingham Literary Festival, The Grand Tour co-creator and executive producer Andy Wilman was quoted by The Sun saying the original presenters were backing the new team. He said: "We've got three guys coming soon with a new Grand Tour and we've got behind them. We're really supporting them."
Andy added: "Our guys are in the shows doing cameos, so we're wishing them well because we do want to pass that baton on." The reboot marks the first full series of the programme without Jeremy, Richard and James as its main hosts.
Speaking to 3Bs Radio, Andy explained why the production team chose presenters already immersed in car culture rather than established television personalities. He said: "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."
The new presenting trio of Thomas, James and Francis have all built large online audiences through their enthusiasm for motoring and transport. Unlike former Top Gear presenters Freddie Flintoff and Paddy McGuinness, who were already well-known television stars before joining the BBC show, the new hosts are making the transition from digital platforms and enthusiast communities.
Host advice and show history
Andy's comments echo views previously expressed by Jeremy about how the series should continue after his departure. Discussing the future of the show, Jeremy said: "There's no point hiring somebody who 'likes' cars. Because that's not enough."
Jeremy added: "I would get three complete unknowns. Start small, like we did. They've got to be absolute petrolheads." He continued: "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. That would be my advice."
The original trio first became household names together on Top Gear. Their mix of ambitious road trips, studio features and challenges turned the BBC programme into a global success before they reunited for The Grand Tour on Prime Video in 2016.
Health battle and lifestyle changes
The return comes after Jeremy opened up about his prostate cancer battle earlier this year on Clarkson's Farm. The star underwent high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment secretly to target the tumour before announcing his diagnosis, and he is now in remission.
The cancer treatment came just months after he suffered terrifying heart problems. Jeremy revealed he went public with his health crisis during series five of Clarkson's Farm only because his treatment meant he had to miss a lot of filming.
At the end of the final episode, Jeremy was seen lying in a hospital bed after being rushed to hospital. He later revealed the emergency dash occurred after he restarted blood-thinning medication for his heart problems without consulting his doctors.
Jeremy admitted his brush with death gave him a newfound appreciation for life and altered his daily habits. Speaking to The Sunday Times newspaper, he said: "I really like seeing my grandchildren. I want to watch them grow up. I drive much more slowly. I'm a bit of a dawdler. I go for walks a lot. I have vegetarian food."
Jeremy has two grandchildren through his daughter Emily and her husband Alex Andrew: three-year-old Arlo and 18-month-old Xanthe. His TV return has also been confirmed for a new series of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, which he will front following his health recovery.
