Rumors are swirling in the media that Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond may be bringing their Grand Tour journey to an end. Speculation has arisen following their return from filming the latest special in Zimbabwe. According to several British publications, the trio might be parting ways with the Amazon Prime hit show. The reports suggest that new options are being considered for a potential reboot of the show, leaving fans wondering whether this involves new presenters or an entirely revamped format. As of now, neither the presenters nor Amazon Prime have officially commented on the matter.
The Grand Tour, Amazon’s successful motoring show, premiered in 2015 as a result of Jeremy Clarkson’s abrupt exit from BBC’s Top Gear. Clarkson’s departure from Top Gear was prompted by an incident where he punched a producer, leading to the show’s reboot with new presenters. Since its inception, The Grand Tour has evolved and thrived, transitioning from three traditional series to a focus on longer-form adventure and road trip specials. The chemistry and camaraderie among the presenters have been considered crucial to the show’s success, prompting questions about its potential continuation with new faces.
Adding complexity to the situation, each of the trio—Clarkson, May, and Hammond—has individual shows on Amazon, such as Clarkson’s Farm and James May: Oh Cook. The recent departure rumors come on the heels of the BBC’s confirmation that Top Gear would be canceled, following presenter Freddie Flintoff’s decision to leave. The cancellation was preceded by a serious collision involving Flintoff and another crew member during filming in late 2022.
In response to the BBC’s decision, James May expressed the need for a reimagined format and approach for Top Gear, suggesting a potential shift in the motoring show landscape. Whether this sentiment foreshadows changes for The Grand Tour remains uncertain.
The trio’s latest adventure, set to unfold in Zimbabwe, involves a journey across the country in three ’70s sports cars: a Lancia Monte Carlo, a Ford Capri, and a Triumph Stag. While the release date is yet to be announced, fans can anticipate the debut sometime in 2024. This comes after their previous escapade in Eastern Europe and exploration of Scandinavia in AWD sedans, which included a memorable incident where James May crashed a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. The future of The Grand Tour hangs in the balance, with fans eagerly awaiting official statements from the presenters and Amazon Prime.
Source: BBC
