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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Sami Quadri

TikTok trainspotter Francis Bourgeois ‘eyed up’ to replace Jeremy Clarkson on Amazon’s Grand Tour

TikTok trainspotting sensation Francis Bourgeois could soon step into Jeremy Clarkson’s shoes as a presenter on Amazon’s Grand Tour, it has been revealed.

Bourgeois, who counts the Prince and Princess of Wales among his fans, has reportedly attracted interest from Amazon producers seeking a fresh face after Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond called time on their hit Prime Video series last year.

The trio’s final special, One For The Road, aired in September.

Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond called time on the series last year (PA Archive)

A source told The Sun: “Francis is a big noise online and Amazon producers are hoping to bring him into the mainstream.”

“He is loved by everyone - from royals to rappers - and is sure to be a hit with Grand Tour viewers.”

The insider added: “Francis is not just a social media sensation but trained as a mechanical engineer so knows his stuff.”

Bourgeois, whose real name is Luke Magnus Nicolson, has amassed over 2.4 million followers on Instagram and 3.3 million on TikTok.

The trainspotter, from Harlesden in London, studied mechanical engineering at the University of Nottingham and previously had a brief stint working for Rolls-Royce.

In 2023, Palace aides invited him to meet Prince William and Kate Middleton during a journey on London’s Elizabeth line—giving Bourgeois an apparent royal seal of approval.

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