Top Gear presenters, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May have thundered across London’s Tower Bridge on a huge tank to launch their new world tour.

Top Gear Live will travel across 15 countries over the next 18 months. Presenter Jeremy Clarkson, 47, is taking part, and James May, 45, and Richard Hammond, 38, are also expected to sign up.

Local presenters of the programme are expected to front the show abroad, with some input from their British counterparts.

BBC Worldwide said the show will “incorporate the drama of film and theatre with the thrills and spills of stunts and special effects”.

Adam Waddell, managing director of Top Gear, BBC Worldwide, said: “Taking Top Gear Live on tour is tremendously exciting and ties in perfectly with our plans to reach out to audiences around the globe.”