Amazon Turns To Content Creators Including Viral Trainspotter Francis Bourgeois For Next Trio Of ‘Grand Tour’ Presenters

Prime Video’s The Grand Tour has confirmed it has turned to social media for the hit motor show’s next trio of presenters.

Viral trainspotting aficionado Francis Bourgeois will host the next series later this year along with James Engelsman and Thomas Holland, the creators of the popular Throttle House YouTube channel. Talks were first reported by The Sun last year.

The three are significantly younger than the trio of previous hosts, Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond, who started The Grand Tour once they left Top Gear and the BBC. They quit two years back, driving off into the Botswana sunset, and The Traitors producer Studio Lambert has since taken over production from Expectation.

Amazon said Season 7 “honours the show’s legacy while driving it into a new era.” The presenters will head to Angola, Malaysia and California, test driving cars and taking part in challenges.

Bourgeois is well known for his viral trainspotting videos, which have given him millions of followers across social. He previously hosted Trainspotting with Francis Bourgeois for Channel 4. Engelsman and Holland run Throttle House, a YouTube channel that clocks up millions of viewers per vid, test driving cars, tracking test runs and taking adventures.

Amazon is taking something of a gamble by dipping into the content creator well rather than looking to established names with older audiences like Clarkson. Content creators are all the rave in the British TV industry at present and, for our recent deep dive, multiple producers told us top broadcasting executives are now obsessed with YouTube stars and how they can better leverage their talent and audience base.

Bourgeois said: “The saying ‘big shoes to fill’ spring to mind. Well, in this case it’ll be like [British runner] 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.”

Tara Erer, Head of UK & Northern Europe Originals at Prime Video, added: “The Grand Tour is Prime Video’s most watched unscripted UK Original series globally, so finding the right successors was no small feat – but we’ve absolutely struck gold. We’re beyond excited to pass the keys to Thomas, James, and Francis, three standout talents who emerged from an extensive search. Each bringing distinctive talents and energy that will propel the series into exciting new territory while capturing the spirit of adventure and camaraderie of this beloved franchise.” 

Studio Lambert, storied All3Media-backed British producer behind The Traitors and Gogglebox, landed the contract to develop a fresh version of The Grand Tour in 2024, which was previously made by Clarkson’s Farm producer Expectation.

Clarkson, who is his mid-60s, previously said the “immensely physical” Grand Tour missions had taken their toll. He has been focusing on his other hit Prime Video show, Clarkson’s Farm, while May and Hammond work across a wealth of different TV and radio shows.