The Grand Tour: One For The Road: Fans emotional as Clarkson, Hammond and May bid farewell in series finale

It’s the end of an era. Motoring trio Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May have hung up their driving gloves and called it a day as The Grand Tour: One For The Road hits TV screens today (September 13). And while it was probably time for the three to go their separate ways, it was still an emotional farewell for fans who have followed them since they first took to the road on Top Gear back in 2002.

Reviving the motoring magazine programme, Clarkson, Hammond and May breathed new life into the tired format, entertaining the nation with their hair-raising exploits on four wheels, in far-flung locations across the globe. It all went south when Clarkson punched a producer on the show in 2015.

The "fracas" was said to have taken place at a North Yorkshire hotel when the presenter was unable to get hot food after a day of filming. The following year, an internal BBC inquiry found Oisin Tymon was the victim of an "unprovoked physical and verbal attack" by Clarkson, who called the producer "lazy" and "Irish", among other things, and was given compensation reported to be in excess of £100,000 and an apology from Clarkson.

After Clarkson was sacked by the BBC over the incident, the three reunited in 2016 on Amazon Prime for The Grand Tour and have since travelled around the world for five series, unleashing devastation in various automobiles.

Now, their working relationship comes to an emotional conclusion in the aptly titled ‘One For The Road’. Defying the orders of producer Andy Wilman, Clarkson, Hammond and May head to Zimbabwe in three cars they have always wanted to own, a Lancia Montecarlo, a Ford Capri 3-litre and a Triumph Stag.

As the presenters navigate stunning landscapes, they reflect on a 22-year working relationship and say farewell to each other at one of their favourite locations. And many viewers are just not ready for this to be the end.

Replying to a post on The Grand Tour’s official Twitter account, fans were lamenting the final show and what the petrolheads’ escapades have meant to them. Someone calling themself ‘ListenMoreTalkLess’ said: “I’ve watched the three of you for 2 decades. Long winter nights with my father,  with the kids on the couch as they grew from babies to young adults and many evenings snuggling the love of my life.    I think I can speak for millions of fans from around the world when I say…..Thank you.”

Scott Doernte echoed the sentiments saying: “Thank you three for years of shows. They always gave me something to look forward to. They will be missed.” Twitter user Robbie.R2o22 added: “It's going to be a sad day, the best trio on British TV, the chemistry between these 3 is unmatched.”

Some fans, including joel rees-price were concerned for their emotional wellbeing, saying: “Im not sure im emotionally capable of dealing with this one.” Erick Rhodes kept his message brief, simply saying: “Don't go!”

Love them or hate them, they have proved popular and will be missed by many fans in the UK and beyond.

:: The Grand Tour: One For The Road is available on Amazon’s streaming service, Prime Video from Friday, September 13.