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New Grand Tour presenters respond to mixed reviews following reboot

Internet personalities taking over the motoring series ask viewers to give them a chance following lukewarm critical reception.

Updated Sep 5, 2026 · 01:19 UTC1 reports

The short version

  • James Engelsman and Thomas Holland of YouTube channel Throttle House, alongside Francis Bourgeois, have taken over as presenters on The Grand Tour.[BBC News]
  • The new hosts replace longtime presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May.[BBC News]
  • Initial reviews from publications including The Guardian, The Independent, and the Financial Times awarded three stars and offered mixed views on the group's dynamic.[BBC News]
  • The hosts noted that the original presenting trio offered support and encouragement for the continuation of the show.[BBC News]

Key facts

  • YouTubers James Engelsman, Thomas Holland, and Francis Bourgeois have taken over as the new presenters of The Grand Tour.[BBC News]
  • The Independent, The Guardian, and the Financial Times each awarded three-star reviews to the rebooted series, noting mixed assessments of the new dynamic.[BBC News]
  • Engelsman and Holland run the motoring YouTube channel Throttle House, which has over three million subscribers.[BBC News]
  • The former hosts—Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May—offered support and encouragement to the incoming trio.[BBC News]

What remains uncertain

  • Whether audience reception and viewership will sustain the franchise under the new presenting lineup remains to be seen.[BBC News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.