Jeremy Clarkson issues stern warning to Amazon over Grand Tour replacement

Jeremy Clarkson urged his bosses not to consider anyone as a replacement unless the person is an "absolute petrolhead" - and ideally someone who shares his motoring journalism roots.

The Clarkson's Farm star is against the idea of celebrities taking over the role purely because they like cars, arguing that the right candidate would have an "all consuming" passion for their work. Jeremy, who recently claimed that he was now "too old and fat" to continue his adventures behind the wheel, made his comments ahead of The Grand Tour's dramatic final episode, which airs today.

"For heaven’s sake, do not get well known people who ‘like’ cars, because when you do that show it has to be your life," he declared. "No, you can’t open supermarkets. No, you can’t appear on another show. If you’re not actually filming, you’re thinking about what the next thing is that you’re going to film. It has to be all consuming."

He added decisively: "I would get three complete unknowns. Start small, like we did. They’ve got to be absolute petrolheads." In quotes published in The Sun, Jeremy listed the important criteria, arguing: “I’ve got to be able to show them a picture of a quarter of a door mirror from any car ever made, and they’ve got to know what it is. I’d go to motoring journalists."

The 64-year-old pointed out that he, James May and Richard Hammond were all originally from motoring journalism backgrounds themselves. He also clarified that he hopes Amazon continues the show after his exit, although no statement has yet been made on its future.

The finale of The Grand Tour in its current format airs today and will see the familiar daredevil trio head off for Zimbabwe.

However, there's one major change to the format in this last show, fittingly titled One For The Road.

Although their appetite for heart-pounding stunts has seen them get into scrapes in the past, this final screening has made a departure from that and focuses solely on the motoring.

Jeremy confirmed that a deliberate decision had been made to avoid the "explosions" some might be expecting and not to "go over the top".

Meanwhile, in spite of James May's mischievous comments about the three hosts being fuelled by a "mutual loathing", Jeremy is clear that their latest footage will depict them "getting on".

When the trio's Top Gear journey ended back in 2015, Chris Evans and Friends actor Matt LeBlanc hosted, followed by Paddy McGuinness and Freddie Flintoff.

However, if Jeremy's advice about employing unknowns is taken into consideration, then there could be a very different future for the show.

Meanwhile, the Diddly Squat farmer has revealed he's looking forward to spending less time going backwards and forwards to Heathrow Airport, and more time on his Clarkson's Farm show and nurturing his new pub, The Farmer's Dog.

It launched last month - and you can read Express.co.uk's verdict here.

Meanwhile, at a Q&A earlier this week, Jeremy clarified the real reason why The Grand Tour is ending.