Jeremy Clarkson cast Richard Hammond in a Swindon pantomime in the last ever episode of The Grand Tour with ex-Top Gear host, James May.

In the episode from September 13, the three hosts decided to save the best place till last - the episode was also shot in Zimbabwe.

A joke about Swindon developed over the show into a full cast list with poster and Premier Inn carvery all described in elaborate detail.(Image: Amazon Prime)

It all starts with “gossip” about colleague Richard Hammond’s arm tattoo with the name of his show, May asks what will happen when his show is axed.

Clarkson suggests: “He’ll have to cross it out and write ‘I’m appearing as Buttons at Swindon Wyvern’, which he probably will be.”

“Or maybe just ‘Buttons’”, suggests May, pointing at an alternative spot for the name of the Cinderella pantomime character on his forehead.

Buttons is a typically pageboy, with the joke perhaps referencing Hammond’s diminutive stature.(Image: Amazon Prime)

Later in the show, Hammond’s car is again pulled over with fuel leaking out of the fuel pipe, giving May another opportunity to think about Swindon.

Clarkson asks of May: “Why are you helping him.”

May responds: “I want him to survive otherwise we can’t see him as Buttons in the pantomime.”

Hammond exclaims: “Oh please! Stop it with the Buttons.”

“Oh no we won’t”, responds May.

May suggests it could only be a year until his appearance at the Wyvern, but Clarkson disagrees.

He says: “No, I think he’s got enough pride to make him last two years. I think it’ll be 2025.”

The dream “star-studded” cast would also include Ainsley Harriott, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and Julian Clary and a matinee carvery special at Premier Inn.

May, promising to go every night, says: “I hate panto but I’m going to that one.”

The show was briefly based not far from Swindon, taking a fixed studio in a tent within the Cotswolds.

Unfortunately, Hammond never has performed at the Wyvern and does not appear to be on the cast list for this year's Cinderella - although the joke suggests this is a future career prospect.

One person asked if it could be a hint about the future, asking: “Did Clarkson give away a massive Swindon secret on Last Grand Tour ever?”