Richard Hammond makes heartbreaking admission ahead of Grand Tour finale

Richard Hammond is bracing himself for emotional days ahead, saying he expects to "wake up and cry every day" as he faces the end of his longstanding collaboration with Jeremy Clarkson and James May.

The trio, who first rose to fame together on Top Gear, are set to release their last episode of The Grand Tour, titled One for the Road, on September 13. This episode will officially conclude their 21-year collaboration.

Speaking on Monday's This Morning, Richard expressed his difficulty in coming to terms with the end of an era.

Reflecting on the show’s incredible journey with hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard, he said: "It went berserk and we didn’t know it would go out of control. It feels really weird I can't get my head round it."

The 53-year-old presenter went on to acknowledge the impact of the partnership on his life, stating: "I've been doing this for 22 years because of that partnership. I'll be forever grateful to Jeremy and James."

Hammond continued, admitting the reality of the show’s conclusion hadn’t fully sunk in yet: "It's not sunk in yet. I reckon six months from now I'll wake up every morning and cry."

He also recalled the moment he first got the job at Top Gear, sharing a touching memory: "When I got the job, I was 31, I burst out crying when they called. I said to my wife, 'this is going to change everything,' and it did."

Ahead of the final episode, Prime Video has released a first look at The Grand Tour: One for the Road. The preview shows Jeremy Clarkson, 64, Richard Hammond, 54, and James May, 61, embarking on one last adventure together.

Producer Andy Wilman, speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival, described the final filming experience as "quite weepy" and "quite heart-stringy."

In the finale, Jeremy, Richard, and James will drive through Zimbabwe in their cherished cars, reliving the camaraderie that has been the hallmark of their 22-year on-screen journey. Reflecting on this bond, Wilman added, "Their camaraderie is next level. I think that you can see that they know this is the last time they will do this."

In a poignant moment from a first-look clip, Clarkson, while driving, looks down at the camera and emotionally states: "So for the last time, here we go." Slides that follow read: "After 22 years, the end has finally come."

Their last road trip will see them journey through stunning yet challenging landscapes, with emotional moments captured throughout. In one of the preview snaps, the trio can be seen sitting around a campfire, sharing beers and laughter by a beautiful lake.

Another image shows them striking smart-casual poses with their beloved vintage cars, while a third reveals a lighthearted moment between Jeremy and Richard, sharing a laugh during a break from driving.

The Grand Tour: One for the Road will be available to stream on Prime Video in over 240 countries from September 13.