Latest news with #TheNotVeryGrandTour
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Who is Francis Bourgeois and when will the YouTube star present The Grand Tour with Thomas Holland and James Engelsman?
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FRANCIS Bourgeois is an influencer known for his trainspotting videos. The locomotive enthusiast and fashion icon is joining the new cast of Amazon Prime's The Grand Tour. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Francis Bourgeois is known for his adorable Instagram videos Credit: Getty Images 3 Francis and James Englesman will be presenting The Grand Tour Credit: Instagram 3 Thomas Holland will be joining the pair on the show Credit: Instagram A fascination with trains Born on July 9, 2000, in north-west London, Francis had a love of trains from a young age. He revealed in an interview that he would often go to Willesdon Junction train station as a child to watch the trains pass by. Then, he would return home and draw pictures of the vehicles from memory. He explained: 'I was just fixated by these big machines. 'Ever since, I've had a passion for trains, cars, planes.' However, he was bullied terribly at school for his hobby which prompted him to sell his huge collection of train sets. Eventually, he decided to chase his dreams and went on to study engineering at the University of Nottingham. Finding fame The star rocketed to fame in 2021 when he started sharing videos about trains. They featured a distinctive style, with Francis attaching a fish-eye lens to his head. Within months, he went viral and built a fanbase of over 2.5 million followers as of May 2025. James May issues brutal response to working with Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond again after Grand Tour stars split Opening up about why he shared his now famous videos, he said: 'I love to show how awesome trains can be as well as trying to make you smile, laugh and just try and bring joy. 'I want to contribute my passion for trains and also engineering to make the railway network a better place for everyone.' The influencer started partnering with iconic fashion brands, including Gucci, which include train imagery in his photoshoots. Joining the Grand Tour Francis will be presenting the brand new series of The Grand Tour with two other famous influencers. He will be joined by Thomas Holland and James Engelsman, who both run the Throttle House channel on YouTube. The trio will be replacing James May, Richard Hammond and Jeremy Clarkson who left the show after a special episode named The Not Very Grand Tour. The BBC have not yet confirmed when the new series will launch.
Metro
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Richard Hammond makes rare comment about divorce in new Grand Tour special
Richard Hammond has made a rare reference to his divorce from Amanda Etheridge in a brand new special for The Grand Tour. TV presenter and former Top Gear star Hammond, 55, married Etheridge, 59, in 2002, when the couple were aged 33 and 37 respectively. The pair confirmed their divorce earlier this year, saying in a statement that they'd had an 'incredible 28 years together' and were 'proud of the family' that they'd created. Now, in a brand new Amazon Prime special for The Grand Tour, titled The Not Very Grand Tour, Hammond has addressed their split. In the new special looking back over the show's best bits, the 55-year-old narrates and introduces portions of the episode. 'In the 1800s, the average American travelled 50 metres a day. Now, the average person travels 50 kilometres a day, and some cover a lot more,' he said at one point. 'If we travel more, we see more, we learn more. And we don't have to marry whoever lives next door, which is my case,' he quipped, which appears to have been in reference to his split. Hammond then faced the camera with a pained expression, as James May interjected with: 'Anyway!' As for the special itself, fans have admitted to feeling 'insulted' after the first episode was made available for them to stream on Friday night. Hosted by Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Hammond, the motoring series first began in November 2016, with 46 episodes released across eight years. The main series came to an end in 2019, with the last groups of episodes – in 2019, 2022, and 2024 – operating as brief 'road trip specials'. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The Grand Tour became a beloved escape for Top Gear fans after Clarkson, 65, May, 62 and Hammond departed the BBC programme in 2015. So news of brand new episodes came as a delight for those who were now mourning their loss of both Top Gear and The Grand Tour. The four new episodes – the first of which was made available on Good Friday – were given a separate subtitle of The Not Very Grand Tour. It appears that the four new episodes will contain very little in the way of new content, with one fan describing it as not much more than a 'greatest hits' compilation. So far only Hammond and May have returned to narrate the clips – with Clarkson absent from the first episode. Amazon Prime Video made no secret of what the new specials would entail, outlining: 'Four special episodes of The Grand Tour are coming to Prime Video, looking back at the best moments of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May's adventures.' Nonetheless, that hasn't stopped some fans from sharing their complaints about the episodes not featuring any new content… although others jumped to its defence. On Reddit, PetatoParmer said: 'It feels almost insulting that this is what we're getting. With the hours upon hours of footage shot for the Grand Tour they could have done something really great and done some fantastic new behind the scenes stuff. Did you enjoy the first of The Grand Tour specials? 'All we're getting is reheated clips with a two minute introduction from two thirds of the team. Frankly it's just not good enough,' they added. ConsistencyWelder commented: 'So it'll just be rehashing of the old material. Not gonna be interested as I already watched the episodes. At least once.' TheGr8Mike referred to the first special episode as a 'rare miss' for the beloved presenting trio, who hosted Top Gear for just over 12 years together. However, some fans were far more forgiving and enjoyed the new episodes, with one calling Prime Video's latest offering a 'trip down memory lane'. Matchsword said, 'I'll take whatever they're throwing out there [because] a trip down memory lane with the boys ain't all that bad,' while others were willing to give the new specials a chance. The new episodes have come just a few weeks after May said there is unlikely to be any big reunion for the trio in the foreseeable future. More Trending 'There isn't going to be a reunion,' he told ABC News Breakfast. 'It's a cliché to say [it's the] end of an era and all that sort of stuff, but it was.' After more than two decades working together, May admitted that they realised it was 'probably time to stop' as they wanted to 'land it with dignity and not fly into the cliffs'. View More » Watch The Grand Tour on Amazon Prime Video. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Amazon Prime viewers binge-watching 'one of the best crime dramas' ever MORE: Jordan Peele's bloody new horror branded cross between The Substance and Midsommar MORE: Amazon Prime viewers have just days left to binge 'best show on Earth'
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Richard Hammond talks about his divorce in new Grand Tour episode
Richard Hammond has talked about his recent divorce on a new episode of The Grand Tour. The presenter is known for starring in car programmes such as BBC's Top Gear and Prime Video's The Grand Tour alongside James May and Oxfordshire farmer Jeremy Clarkson. Mr Hammond broke the shock news on social media to fans back in January though when he revealed he would be separating from his wife, Mindy, after 28 years together. He said: "A little update from us. This Christmas we were together as a family and this year we will still be a family but just structured a bit differently. READ MORE: Kaleb Cooper LEAVES Clarkson's Farm after clash with Jeremy Clarkson Richard Hammond announced the shock split in January. (Image: PA) 'Our marriage is coming to end, but we've had an amazing 28 years together and two incredible daughters. 'We will always be in each other's lives and are proud of the family we created. 'We won't be commenting further and sincerely hope that our privacy and that of our children will be respected at this time. 'With Love, Richard and Mindy.' READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson gives final decision on return to The Grand Tour Mr Hammond has now spoken about the divorce publicly for the first time since January. A new episode of The Not Very Grand Tour series, entitled The Glory and The Power, was released on Prime Video yesterday (Friday, April 18). It saw James May and Mr Hammond give commentary on previous clips from the popular show with Mr Clarkson absent. The 55-year-old alluded to his divorce as he said: "In the 1800s, the average American travelled 50 meters a day. READ MORE: Richard Hammond's daughter dents £50k Mercedes after one hour Unlock unlimited local news. Subscribe today and save 40 per cent off an annual subscription 🚨 Enjoy access to our ad-free mobile and tablet app, as well as the digital edition of the paper. Don't miss out – subscribe now! 👇 — Oxford Mail (@TheOxfordMail) April 9, 2025 "Now, the average person travels 50 kilometres a day, and some cover a lot more. "If we travel more, we see more, we learn more. And we don't have to marry whoever lives next door. "Which is my case..." Mr Hammond then turned towards the camera with a pained expression while Mr May then interrupted and said: "Anyway!"
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
James May reveals Jeremy Clarkson is NOT in new Grand Tour episodes
James May has revealed that Jeremy Clarkson is not in the new episodes of The Grand Tour. The pair presented BBC's Top Gear as well as The Grand Tour on Prime Video with Richard Hammond for 22 years. After a final special in Zimbabwe and Botswana, it looked like the end for Hammond, May and Hammond as a trio professionally. Yet news recently broke of a new show called The Not Very Grand Tour scheduled to release in April. READ MORE: James May talks Elon Musk becoming new Top Gear presenter James May was recently interviewed. (Image: Ian West / PA Wire) This has now been expanded on by Prime Video, who confirmed that there will be four new retrospective episodes. The first special, The Not Very Grand Tour: The Power and the Glory, will launch worldwide on April 18, 2025. James May has spoken for the first time on the new episodes during a recent chat with Al Arabiya News presenter Tom Burges Watson. In the interview, he addressed the so-called reunion and revealed that Jeremy Clarkson was not involved. READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Clarkson's Farm season four Missed a copy of the Oxford Mail you wanted? Here's what to do — Oxford Mail (@TheOxfordMail) May 13, 2024 'Well, I'm afraid it's not a reunion," said Mr May. "The Not Very Grand Tour is essentially a best-of compilation hosted from the studio by me and Richard Hammond. "Jeremy Clarkson wasn't available for some reason, but we're all in the clips. It's all things you've seen before, but chopped up in a different way. "We recorded it a while back. I can't remember why he couldn't be there. He was probably busy.'
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Clarkson, May and Hammond to star in four new episodes of The Grand Tour
The Grand Tour starring Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond will return with four new special episodes. Originally coming together on BBC's Top Gear in 2003, the trio went on to become household names after presenting the show for over a decade. They then moved over to Prime Video to host The Grand Tour until the series came to an end last year. One last special entitled One For The Road saw the three friends travel to Zimbabwe and Botswana before calling it a day after 22 years as a Grand Tour trio will feature in the new episodes. (Image: Press Association Images) Their production company was dissolved, and it looked like the end for Hammond, May and Hammond professionally. Yet news recently broke of a new show called The Not Very Grand Tour scheduled to release in April. This has now been expanded on by Prime Video, who have confirmed that there will be four new retrospective episodes. The first special, The Not Very Grand Tour: The Power and the Glory, will launch worldwide on April 18, 2025. This episode will see Richard Hammond and James May celebrate the glory of the internal combustion engine via a look back at some of the more propulsive films from The Grand trio have starred together on Top Gear and The Grand Tour. (Image: Press Association Images) These include the hyper car holy trinity, muscle cars in Detroit, a city sprint in a Bugatti, the world's craziest tank, and a race between the past, present and future. The rest of the Grand-Ish Tour specials are set for release later this year and in 2026. A second special entitled The Grand-ish Tour: A Trip Down Memory Lane sees the trio celebrating epic driving moments in California, Morocco, Colorado and Scandinavia. It will also show them wince at the misery brought on by water and mud, remind Jeremy of his mechanical incompetence, and enjoy an excellent montage of each other falling over. The Grand-ish Tour: A Bit Further Down Memory Lane will see the trio celebrate stuff they unlimited local news subscribe today and save 40 per cent off an annual subscription. Enjoy access to our ad-free mobile and tablet app, as well as the digital edition of the paper. Don't miss out – subscribe now! 🗞️👇 — Oxford Mail (@TheOxfordMail) March 18, 2025 This includes John, the self-assembly car that crossed Mongolia, and Jeremy's home-made SUV, The Excellent. They will also be recalling epic drag races, great pranks and wonky windscreen wipers. Finally, The Grand-ish Tour: Completely Lost Down Memory Lane, will feature everything from French hatchback racing and drifting Italian classics to an RV demolition derby and some massive dogs. Plus, a series of explosions, a dangerous trip for Nigel Mansell, and a heartfelt farewell to an old friend. These episodes will look back at the best moments of the series and will reportedly feature new commentary from Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond.
