Johannesburg - Former Top Gear hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May filmed the first episode of their motoring show, The Grand Tour, in South Africa on Sunday (July 17).
The show is housed in a giant tent which was erected at the Cradle of Humankind just outside Johannesburg.
Wheels24 spoke to audience members who said that the production team "explicitly asked us not to take photos and post on social media at the recording, as well as not share anything we’ve seen because it’s meant to be a surprise to global audiences when it airs."
Motoring trio in SA
However, the trio of presenters posted updates and photographs on social media throughout the day.
Clarkson, who on Thursday blasted British Airways for delaying his flight to South Africa by 12 hours, posted a photograph on Twitter:
This is it. The Grand Tour's first studio day. pic.twitter.com/W3BmxlnsdP
— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) July 17, 2016
The new show is filmed in a giant tent each week in a different location. The first season of the show is set to air on Amazon Prime this Spring in the Southern Hemisphere.
The tent. #TheGrandTourJoburg pic.twitter.com/YJrdVjwh0u
— The Grand Tour (@thegrandtour) July 17, 2016
May, in an obvious attempt to say 'Jozi', instead typed 'Josie'in a photograph he posted on Twitter:
I'm sorry, I forgot to wave. #GrandTour #Josie pic.twitter.com/XLrwof27fu
— James May (@MrJamesMay) July 17, 2016
Inside the tent. #TheGrandTourJoburg pic.twitter.com/JiQnklQjRs
— The Grand Tour (@thegrandtour) July 17, 2016
May, then posted a Facebook Live video at 8:00PM on Sunday evening in which Clarkson said the team had just filmed their first Grand Tour show and that they 'really enjoyed it'.Some people came to see our first ever Grand Tour show today. God I love Johannesburg pic.twitter.com/KEUnnyEtJZ
— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) July 17, 2016
Watch May's video below:
Top Gear ends on a low
The first season of the revamped hit motoring show, Top Gear, ended on a low point with host Chris Evans quitting.
The show has struggled to draw a big audience since it was relaunched in May 2016, hosted by Evans and Matt LeBlanc.
The revamped show attracted just 1.9 million viewers to its season finale.
More on The Grand Tour
Why we can’t wait for Clarkson’s new show - The Grand Tour
Internet reacts to Clarkson, Hammond, May's new show