Prime Video’s popular motoring show, The Grand Tour, has ushered in a new era with presenters Francis Bourgeois, James Engelsman, and Thomas Holland taking the helm. The trio, bringing fresh energy to the series, have gained approval from the show’s former hosts, including Jeremy Clarkson, as they embrace the significant legacy left behind.
Across the latest season, the hosts engage in daring and exhilarating exploits, such as chasing freight trains and racing against fighter jets. For 26-year-old Francis Bourgeois, these adventures represent dreams realised beyond his wildest expectations.
Francis, a social media sensation who first drew attention during the coronavirus pandemic, revitalised his passion for trainspotting by sharing his experiences on TikTok. His videos quickly went viral, leading to collaborations with celebrities like Joe Jonas, Sam Ryder, and Aisling Bea.
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Born in London, Francis moved to Frome, Somerset with his family at the age of six and remains closely connected to the town. He recently joined a local social group in Frome centred around train enthusiasts, reflecting his enduring bond to his roots.
In the new Grand Tour series, Francis introduces his good friend, Formula One champion Jenson Button, to his co-presenters, emphasising their shared Frome parish origins. Both James Engelsman and Thomas Holland expressed admiration for Francis’s close relationship with the sporting legend.
Originally named Luke Magnus Nicolson, he changed his name ahead of his rise to fame, adopting the stage name Francis Bourgeois. Inspired partly by the artist Louise Bourgeois, he chose the name to allow himself a more creatively expressive identity while maintaining a degree of personal privacy.
Previously, in a BBC interview, Francis explained his reasons for safeguarding his private life: “I wanted to form a protective bubble over that side of my life; isolate it in a way, but in doing so I realised this is what I want to be. I started to realise that it’s absolutely cool to have this unique passion.”
Though his family showed little interest in trains or engineering, they recognised his fascination from a young age. His grandmother, noticing his obsession with wooden toy trains from the age of three, gifted him his first model railway set.
Francis’s educational journey saw him study mechanical engineering at the University of Nottingham, followed by a brief tenure at Rolls-Royce. Eventually, he transitioned into broadcasting and content creation, where his unique voice could shine.
He has been in a committed relationship with Amy Linkin-Chandler since their teenage years, with their partnership becoming public in 2018. The couple made their first official red carpet appearance together at the 2022 NME Awards and continue to share both personal and professional bonds.
Francis spoke warmly about their relationship to The Times, saying: “We’re very emotionally in tune with one another. We are each other’s comfort teddy bears.” Amy, who has over 8,400 followers on Instagram, works as a freelance creative assistant and videographer and has collaborated with brands such as Gucci and Soho House. She holds a degree in Fashion Communication with Business Studies from the University of Brighton.
In August 2026, Amy joined Francis in celebrating his birthday at the Great Cockcrow Railway, in the company of close friends and family.
The latest season of The Grand Tour is available for viewing on Prime Video.