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For over twenty years, Top Gear and The Grand Tour were largely defined by the distinctive personalities of their three main presenters alongside the impressive cars featured on the shows. Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May formed one of television’s most iconic presenting trios, making the task of finding successors for The Grand Tour a challenging one from the outset.
Stepping into this legacy, YouTubers James Engelsman and Thomas Holland join forces with Francis Bourgeois, an internet sensation known for his passion for trains, to present the new series. Given the mixed responses from early reviews, the new trio were well aware they had to win over skeptical audiences. Holland openly acknowledges the impact of their predecessors: “They literally changed the car world.” He also empathizes with fans who question continuing the show without Clarkson, Hammond, and May, noting, “They’re completely justified to feel that, because they did the same thing that we did – which is grow up watching Clarkson, Hammond and May. The show was a very important part of our lives as car enthusiasts.”
Replacing such a well-established chemistry among presenters meant more than just having automotive knowledge; the new hosts needed to connect naturally. Engelsman and Holland, known together for their YouTube channel Throttle House, which boasts over three million subscribers, were already a familiar duo. However, the third presenter was less obvious. The producers eventually chose Bourgeois, a social media star more familiar with train stations than fast cars. Engelsman recalls, “As soon as Francis showed up, we were like: ‘That guy’.” Bourgeois fondly remembers their first meeting on a leather sofa outside Basingstoke, where discussions mostly revolved around their car collections. By the time filming started, Holland says the trio’s dynamic “just worked and clicked immediately,” eliminating the need for forced chemistry.
Despite the quick bond between the presenters, securing the job was a gradual and uncertain process. Engelsman explains there wasn’t a definitive moment when they were officially informed. Initially thinking they were only part of a larger audition process, they kept getting invited into writers’ rooms to contribute ideas. Bourgeois admits that such ambiguity might have been a relief for him personally, as learning of the position outright might have overwhelmed him emotionally, saying he would have “just fall apart and start crying.”
The new trio represents a noticeable generational shift, having built their reputations on social media platforms rather than traditional broadcasting. The critical response acknowledges this transition with some reservations. Reviews from notable publications describe the reboot as cautious and the new hosts as somewhat reserved. While The Independent mentioned the show felt “all rather safe” and that the presenters appeared “stilted,” and The Guardian referred to them as “a decent, if slightly anonymous, presence” lacking a strong dynamic, Bourgeois received praise for his enthusiasm. Stuart Heritage described him as “the most enthusiastic enthusiast currently working on planet Earth.” Meanwhile, the Financial Times awarded the series three stars, noting that although visually impressive spectacles remained entertaining, the show felt “a little muted,” and questioned whether the Grand Tour could continue without its famously larger-than-life original hosts.
Though better known for his joyful trainspotting videos, Bourgeois traces his love of cars back to his childhood in Willesden Junction, London. Surrounded by trains, he was equally captivated by cars, especially one Mitsubishi Legnum VR-4 parked near his parents’ flat. He explains, “With my social media, I’m just showing one of my passions and I have really wanted to let out that car enthusiasm too.” He appreciates that both of his strong interests now coexist in this new role, describing the pleasure of driving some of the cars featured on The Grand Tour. His passion for all forms of transport has also influenced Engelsman and Holland, who jokingly admit they have gained extensive knowledge from Bourgeois during “long walks and long drives.”
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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