September 2nd 2024.
As we prepare to say goodbye to the beloved trio of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May on The Grand Tour, many fans have been wondering about the future of the show. After all, these three have been entertaining us for over two decades, first on Top Gear and then on The Grand Tour. But fear not, as Richard Hammond has confirmed that the show will continue with new hosts taking over the wheel.
In an interview with The Agency, Richard opened up about the emotional journey he's been on with his co-stars and their loyal fans. The 54-year-old also gave his thoughts on the future of the show, which will now be carried on by Prime Video with a new set of hosts. "It will be carrying on. The Grand Tour continues. We're stepping away as the hosts, but Prime will be continuing it. So I can't wait to sit on my own chair and watch somebody else do it. That's amazing," he said.
Although Richard admitted that he is not privy to the conversations about who the new hosts will be, he did offer some advice on how they can ensure the show remains cherished by fans. "If you're making any show that at its heart has a subject, whether it's cooking, dancing or cars, the hosts, the primary makers of it, have to have that passion in their heart. And we always did," he explained. "You never had to be a car geek to watch our show. Plenty of people who weren't did watch it, but it was important that we were the car geeks."
As for whether the new version of The Grand Tour should retain the same format or evolve, Richard diplomatically stated that it's up to the new hosts to decide. "We'll always be on hand to talk if they want to talk to us, absolutely. But it's not for us to shape it anymore. We're stepping away. We made the show that we made," he said. "It's a bit like you've got your favourite old pair of shoes or jacket that once you've worn it, it only fits you. That show was what you get if you put us forward together and the brilliant team around us. But there'll be a different team doing a different show, and they'll devise the show that fits them."
With the final episode of The Grand Tour set to air soon, Richard confessed that it hasn't quite sunk in yet and it likely won't for another "six months." The last episode will see the trio head to Zimbabwe for a picturesque and exhilarating road trip. "It's a very honest and heartfelt goodbye and thank you from us. It really is, and it was built to be that. Andy Wilman, who is possibly the driving force, he's done a masterful job of putting that together," Richard shared.
Teasing what viewers can expect from their last outing, he added, "Don't expect big bangs and crashes. It's actually quite simple. It's quite a sincere thank you for making it possible for us to have such an incredible time over the last two decades together. It really felt like a genuine thank you. It's from the heart, and I hope people appreciate it for that."
The Grand Tour has never been one to shy away from controversy, and Richard addressed this head-on in the interview. "I think the controversy, it's always been part of what we do. I've certainly never borne any malice towards anybody. If I've said things or been part of shows that have said things that have been interpreted as malicious, then I don't think that was ever the intent," he explained. "That's not to say it hasn't caused offence. It's the last thing I want to do is cause offence. We've sometimes got to be close to the line, but maybe sometimes that's the only way you find out where the line is, when you're looking over your shoulder at it and realise, 'Oops, I've gone the wrong side of it. I better step back again.'"
As for what's next for Richard, he hopes that fans will continue to follow the show as it evolves into a new version with new hosts. And even without The Grand Tour, he will still be hitting the road and working on cars, a passion that is deeply ingrained in him. "Just this afternoon in the car, I was planning a little journey for next year I'd quite like to do. I won't be doing it for TV, but that might be quite nice, actually," he shared. "I enjoyed it, going to France last week and driving back in a tiny little car that won't do more than 50 miles an hour. It broke down, and I had to carry out quite a big fix in the car park of the services, three hours in the sun with the spanners and the jack. It was great. I loved it. It's what we do." The Grand Tour: One for the Road will be available to stream on September 13 on Prime Video.
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