In the last ever episode of The Grand Tour,  Jeremy Clarkson jokingly cast his co-host Richard Hammond in a Swindon pantomime.

The episode, titled ‘One for the Road’, aired on Amazon Prime on Friday, September 13, with former Top Gear hosts Clarkson, Hammond and May embarking on a road trip through Zimbabwe.

A joke about Swindon escalated when Clarkson suggested Hammond would be featuring as Buttons in a Cinderella production at the Wyvern Theatre.

Buttons is typically a male servant who helps Cinderella and has an unrequited love for her, but the joke left many fans looking up the name ‘Buttons’ to understand the reference.

The joke was sparked by the trio speaking about Hammond’s arm tattoo with the name of his show and May asks what will happen when the show is axed.

Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard HammondJeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond (Image: PA Media) Clarkson quips: “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, while pointing at an alternative spot for the name of the character on his forehead.

Later in the show the joke pops up again when Hammond’s Ford Capri has fuel leaking out of the fuel pipe, forcing him to pull over. 

Clarkson asks May: “Why are you helping him?”

To which 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”, says May and suggests Hammond could take to the Wyvern stage in 2025.

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

Their imaginary line-up includes Ainsley Harriott, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and Julian Clary, along with a matinee carvery special at Premier Inn.

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

While Hammond won't be appearing as Buttons, a production of Cinderella is taking place at the Wyvern Theatre this year from Saturday, December 7 to Sunday, January 5.

The cast includes Coronation Street star Lisa George as the Fairy Godmother, David Ashley as Dame Molly Miggins and Artemis Fowl’s Ben Goffe as Buttons.