Frome connections drive new Grand Tour series

Frome has a starring connection to the new series of The Grand Tour, with new presenter Francis Bourgeois joined on screen in the opening episode by former Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button, who is also from the town.

Francis, who still lives locally, presents the new series on Amazon Prime alongside YouTubers James Engelsman and Thomas Holland.

Originally hosted by Top Gear trio Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, the series sees Francis and his co-presenters travel across the world taking on large-scale motoring challenges, from crossing the Angolan desert in track cars to exploring Malaysia’s vibrant car culture, before heading to California to test cutting-edge performance cars.

The opening episode, titled The Next Generation, features Francis and Jenson revealing that they share the same hometown, before the former F1 driver puts a selection of sports cars to the test to see which can set the fastest lap.

Francis first rose to fame through his enthusiastic trainspotting videos on social media, often filmed with a GoPro attached to his head.

He said, “Since completing the filming of the series, I haven’t stopped replaying every moment in my head. It has made me laugh, made my heart race and my stomach turn. Remembering the tent that I shared with Thomas and James filled with sulphuric farts whilst Angolan jackals snooped around outside. It feels as though it was a dream but knowing we will get to share our adventures soon makes me so incredibly excited.”

The new six-part series of The Grand Tour is out now on Amazon Prime.