Francis Bourgeois says the support of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May has been an “absolute superpower” as a new presenting team prepares to take over The Grand Tour.
Bourgeois, who became widely known through trainspotting videos on TikTok, is joining Thomas Holland and James Englesman for the next version of the Prime Video motoring series.
New Grand Tour team launches on 4 September
The new series is due to launch on Prime Video on 4 September 2026. Bourgeois told PA that the backing of the programme’s former presenters had helped the new team approach the project with greater confidence.
Clarkson, Hammond and May turned The Grand Tour into one of Prime Video’s best-known motoring programmes after previously presenting Top Gear together. Taking over a format so closely associated with the trio creates an obvious challenge for any new presenters.
Bourgeois’ comments suggest the incoming team has had encouragement from the people most closely linked with the show’s previous era rather than being left to make the transition alone.
From TikTok train videos to a global motoring show
Bourgeois built his public profile through enthusiastic railway and trainspotting content on TikTok. His move into The Grand Tour is another example of a social-media creator crossing into a large established television franchise.
The new presenting line-up combines different backgrounds and styles, with Bourgeois bringing the distinctive on-camera enthusiasm that made his short-form videos popular online.
Severn News has based this report on the PA interview carried by The Irish News on 2 September 2026. The release date and presenting line-up were current at the time of publication.
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