James May refused to give Grand Tour presenters advice after Jeremy Clarkson's brutal cameo
Prime Video's revamped version of The Grand Tour is finally here – and its new faces are hoping to make a lasting impression.
After Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond confirmed they were retiring from the series in 2024, it appeared to be well and truly the end of the road for the Prime Video motoring series – until a surprise announcement saw Clarkson name Francis Bourgeois, aka the train man from TikTok, and YouTube's Throttle House presenters Thomas Holland and James Engelsman as his chosen successors.
The series landed on Prime Video today (4 September), and the sceptics can be reassured that the old guard is still very much involved.
Episode one opens with a direct nod to The Grand Tour heritage as Bourgeois, Holland and Engelsman make the pilgrimage to Diddly Squat farm to procure the famous studio tent for their series.
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Clarkson denies the request, it's being used for various Clarkson's Farm endeavours, but does give the trio his blessing before the group part ways.
"Have fun with this… good luck and don't f**k it up," he told them, later turning to the camera to hammer home the fact that these presenters have his stamp of approval.
"I've been watching those three for the past year and a half, and they're very, very good," he said. "I think you're going to love it."
May and Hammond also make their own cameos in the series, with May cropping up to tease Bourgeois over his knowledge of the size of European parking spaces while Hammond assists the group in smashing up cars in Wales.
So what advice did May and Hammond have for the trio? Not exactly what you'd expect.
"James May made it very clear that it probably isn't a good idea if he gives us tips," Holland revealed during an exclusive sit-down chat with LADbible last night, noting that the 63-year-old wanted them to put their own stamp on the show.
"That was perhaps the best advice he could have given," he added.
As for Hammond, his support came through a series of back slaps, each of which seemed more heavy-handed than the last.
"Hammond was supportive; he kept saying good luck [while] progressively hitting us on the back harder and harder," Engelsman said
"At some point it exited support," he joked.
Despite having the blessing of the men who made the motoring series what it is today, the new Grand Tour hosts are conscious that not all long-term fans will be ready to say goodbye to a format they've known and loved for years.
"They're allowed to feel that," Holland said when asked about concerns over long-term fans switching off. "Maybe we would feel that, but I think we've been really careful to make sure that we've made something that respects what they loved about the old show."
"Try five minutes," Engelsman jokingly added. "And if you don't like it, message Francis Bourgeois on Instagram and air your upsets."
The Grand Tour returns exclusively to Prime Video on 4th September.
Topics: The Grand Tour, TV, Jeremy Clarkson, James May, Richard Hammond
Brenna Cooper