The Real Deal: Life Behind the Wheel with Clarkson, Hammond, and May
For over two decades, the iconic trio of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May dominated our screens, first with Top Gear and later with The Grand Tour. While their on-screen antics were legendary, many have wondered what the presenters are truly like when the cameras stop rolling. Scriptwriter Richard Porter, who worked with the presenters for 22 years under the pseudonym “Sniff Petrol,” has offered a candid glimpse into their off-set personalities.
Porter, a self-proclaimed car fanatic, shared his reflections on his time with Clarkson, Hammond, and May as The Grand Tour concluded its run on Amazon Prime Video in 2024. He spoke fondly of the constant laughter that permeated their working environment.
A Never-Ending Source of Amusement
In an opinion piece for Evo magazine, Porter recounted how he would frequently erupt into fits of laughter as Clarkson regaled the team with “bombastic anecdotes” often punctuated by accidental social blunders. He described the presenters as being “exactly the same” as their on-screen personas, a trait that, while sometimes “exhausting and annoying,” mostly made them “tremendous company.”
Porter elaborated on this consistency: “For the last 20-odd years people have regularly asked me what they’re like in real life and I would answer, entirely truthfully, that they were pretty much exactly the same as you saw on the screen.” He added, “Sometimes that could be exhausting and annoying, but most of the time it made them tremendous company.”
He painted vivid pictures of their everyday conversations: “I can’t remember ever being in a room with them for more than five minutes and not laughing deeply from the base of my belly as Jeremy told some bombastic anecdote about making a total faux pas in a stately home, or Richard remembered that his weekend gin thirst had accidentally got him into a fight with a banister, or James recalled a whimsical tale involving someone mistakenly believing the Kellogg’s Frosties promotional character was called Terry the Lion.”
The Secret to Their Success
According to Porter, the trio’s enduring appeal lay in their genuine passion for cars and the infectious fun they had making the shows. He highlighted that they were not just entertainers but also “highly intelligent men who weren’t afraid to play.”
Porter identified several key factors that contributed to their on-screen chemistry and their ability to connect with audiences:
- Adults Behaving Like Children: Their playful, often mischievous, demeanour resonated with viewers.
- Clever People Doing Stupid Things: A combination of intelligence and a willingness to embrace absurdity.
- Ambitious and Adventurous: They consistently pushed boundaries, sometimes beyond their capabilities.
- Humour Above All: Porter emphasised that their shared sense of humour was the most significant element he would miss.
“There are lots of things that made Clarkson, Hammond and May work on screen and allowed them to quietly worm their way into people’s living rooms back when sitting down together to watch telly at a time allotted by the broadcaster was still the norm,” Porter explained. “But most of all they were funny. And that’s what I’ll miss about working with them.”
A New Era for The Grand Tour
The conclusion of The Grand Tour with its original hosts has paved the way for a fresh lineup. Jeremy Clarkson himself recently shared his thoughts on the new presenters, who are set to take the reins of the popular series.
Clarkson, along with his long-time co-stars Richard Hammond and James May, bowed out of the show in 2024, with Clarkson jokingly attributing their departure to a lack of ideas and their advancing age and declining fitness. The new era of The Grand Tour will be helmed by a trio of social media stars: YouTubers Thomas Holland and James Engelsman, and TikTok personality Francis Bourgeois.
The succession was teased last year and officially confirmed in February. Despite passing the baton, Clarkson appears to be a fan of the new direction. He recently told the My Week In Cars podcast that the show’s continuity is ensured by Andy Wilman, the long-serving producer who was also instrumental in Top Gear‘s success.
“I’ve seen the guys being chosen in the early days, and I’ve seen some of the stuff they’ve been doing. And it’s very, very good,” Clarkson stated. “It’s different because they’re three completely different people to us. But they’re bl**dy funny. You shall see. I’m pretty confident that that will work. I mean, touch wood. But I love the idea that Grand Tour carried on in this way.”
Clarkson’s Humorous Take on His Successors
In a light-hearted announcement video released by The Grand Tour, Clarkson offered his signature brand of humour, not aimed at the new hosts, but rather in a mock review of potential presenters’ résumés. The video, captioned “Jeremy has a message…”, showcased Clarkson humorously critiquing fictional CVs.
He playfully dismissed James May, exclaiming, “Hello, my name is James May… God, he sounds dull!”
When reviewing a CV for motoring influencer Thomas Holland, he quipped about a claimed 1300-metre drift, noting, “Zero evidence has been uncovered.” He also added, “Frequently presents an opinion as if it is fact and then if challenged will change the subject. Yes, funny man.”
Clarkson’s reaction to Francis Bourgeois was more positive, recognising him as “the train man from the internet!” However, he couldn’t resist a jest about the TikTok star’s claimed ability to “see behind him” despite having “2020 vision.”
Finally, Richard Hammond’s résumé received a curt dismissal: “Blah. I’m 5ft4,” before Clarkson tossed it aside, a classic jab at Hammond’s height. These playful jabs highlight the enduring camaraderie and wit of the original presenters, even as they embrace the show’s new chapter.
