James May
James May | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 16, 1963 Bristol, England |
| Occupation(s) | Television host, writer, journalist |
| Years active | 1980s–present |
| Known for | Co-hosting Top Gear (2003–2015), The Grand Tour (2016–2024) |
James Daniel May (born 16 January 1963) is a British television host, writer, and journalist, widely recognized for co-hosting the motoring shows Top Gear (2003–2015) alongside Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, and the Amazon Prime Video series The Grand Tour (2016–2024). Additionally, he held a directorial position at the production firm W. Chump & Sons.
May has fronted a variety of programmes covering topics such as travel, science and technology, toys, wine appreciation, and contemporary masculinity. Between 2003 and 2011, he contributed a weekly motoring column to The Daily Telegraph.
Early life
James May was born in Bristol to James May, who managed an aluminium factory, and his wife Kathleen. He grew up as one of four siblings. His education included attendance at Caerleon Endowed School in Newport, Wales, followed by Oakwood Comprehensive School in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. At Pendle College, Lancaster University, he pursued music studies with a focus on flute and piano and also completed a year of metalwork training at a technical college.
Following his graduation, May briefly worked as a hospital records officer in Chelsea and embarked on a short-lived civil service career before transitioning into journalism and broadcasting during his thirties. He also gained hands-on experience working part-time as a moulder in his father’s foundry, which he credits for igniting his fascination with mechanics.
Journalism career
During the early 1980s, May held sub-editor roles at The Engineer and later at Autocar, from which he was eventually dismissed due to including a hidden prank.[1] Over time, he has contributed to numerous publications such as a recurring column titled England Made Me in Car Magazine, articles for Top Gear magazine, and maintained a weekly column in The Daily Telegraph.
He is the author of May on Motors (2006), a compilation of his writings, and co-authored Oz and James's Big Wine Adventure (2006), which complemented the television series of the same name. May also penned the afterword for motoring author L. J. K. Setright’s final work, Long Lane with Turnings, and co-hosted a 2006 tribute to Raymond Baxter. His books Notes From The Hard Shoulder and James May's 20th Century (2007) were published alongside his television projects.
Dismissal from Autocar
In an incident disclosed on BBC Radio 2,[2] May was fired from Autocar after embedding an acrostic within the "Road Test Yearbook" supplement he edited. The initial letters of each review were printed in large red font spelling words such as "ROAD", "TEST", "YEAR", and "BOOK". Subsequent pages revealed the hidden statement: "So you think it's really good, yeah? You should try making the bloody thing up; it's a real pain in the arse."[3]
Although this went unnoticed during pre-publication review, it was uncovered after readers contacted Autocar offices expressing concern. Management then took action resulting in May’s dismissal.[4]
Television career
May’s television portfolio includes hosting Channel 4’s Driven in 1998, narrating BBC One’s series Road Rage School, and co-presenting ITV1’s coverage of the 2006 London Boat Show. He wrote and presented BBC One specials such as James May's Top Toys and James May: My Sisters' Top Toys, which examined toy preferences across genders. In an episode of Gordon Ramsay’s The F Word, May notably bested Ramsay in eating contests and impressed with his fish pie recipe that inspired Ramsay’s upscale version of the dish.
Top Gear
In 1999, May had a brief stint co-hosting the original Top Gear, but he was dismissed in 2000 prior to the show's cancellation. When the program was revived in 2002, Jeremy Clarkson convinced producer Andrew Wilman to bring May back for the second series in 2003, replacing Jason Dawe. Nicknamed "Captain Slow" due to his measured driving style and meticulous nature, May also showcased impressive speed capabilities, reaching in a Bugatti Veyron (2007) and setting a speed record in the Veyron 16.4 Super Sport (2010). Additionally, he conducted a comparison test between the Bugatti Veyron and the Pagani Zonda F.
In 2007, alongside Clarkson and an Icelandic team, May drove a specially adapted Toyota Hilux to the magnetic North Pole. He also navigated a Hilux up the slopes of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano during its eruption. After the BBC decided not to renew Clarkson’s contract in March 2015, May confirmed he would not continue with Top Gear without his longtime co-presenter.
Science
May has presented several science-related programs including Inside Killer Sharks for Sky and James May's 20th Century, which examined notable inventions. For the latter, he piloted a Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon at speeds approaching 1320 mph (2124 km/h). In 2008, the BBC broadcast James May's Big Ideas, a series exploring practical applications of science fiction concepts. He also hosted James May's Man Lab from 2010 to 2013. In 2013, May lent his narration to To Space & Back, a documentary produced by Sky-Skan and The Franklin Institute that focused on how space exploration has influenced modern technology.
James May on the Moon
The 2009 BBC Two program James May on the Moon commemorated the 40th anniversary of humanity’s first Moon landing. This was followed by James May at the Edge of Space on BBC Four, which documented May’s ascent to approximately 70,000 feet aboard a US Air Force Lockheed U-2 spy plane, making him one of the highest-altitude flyers outside of International Space Station crews.
James May's Toy Stories
Beginning in October 2009, May hosted a six-episode series celebrating classic toys such as Airfix, Plasticine, Meccano, Scalextric, Lego, and Hornby. The show involved pushing these toys beyond their usual limits while fulfilling nostalgic ambitions. One highlight included constructing a life-sized Lego house at Denbies Wine Estate in Surrey during August 2009. Plans to move this structure to Legoland were abandoned due to prohibitive costs; it was subsequently dismantled in September with the bricks donated to charity.
For this series, May recreated Brooklands’ iconic banked racing track using Scalextric and attempted to establish the world’s longest functional model railway along the Tarka Trail between Barnstaple and Bideford. Although initial efforts were disrupted by theft and vandalism, a successful race between German and British model railway enthusiasts took place in 2011 along a double-tracked mainline.
A Christmas special in 2012 titled Flight Club featured a giant toy glider that flew 22 miles from Devon to Lundy Island. In 2013, May assembled a full-scale motorcycle and sidecar entirely from Meccano parts and completed an entire lap of the Isle of Man TT Course—spanning 37¾ miles—with wine expert Oz Clarke as passenger.
Oz and James
The BBC aired Oz and James's Big Wine Adventure in late 2006, showcasing May—known for his limited appreciation of alcohol—traveling through France alongside wine connoisseur Oz Clarke. The duo returned for a second series in 2007 exploring California’s wine regions. A third installment aired in 2009 under the title Oz and James Drink to Britain.
James May: Our Man in...
In January 2020, May presented James May: Our Man in Japan, a six-part travel series on Amazon Prime Video that documented a three-month journey across Japan. The show featured visits to cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto, guided by local experts. Following this, the second installment, James May: Our Man in Italy, explored various Italian regions from Palermo to the Dolomites, emphasizing cultural experiences and culinary delights. Plans for a third installment, James May: Our Man in India, were ultimately cancelled in October 2024.
Internet presence
May launched the YouTube channel Head Squeeze (currently known as "BBC Earth Lab"), which combined topics including science, technology, history, and contemporary issues. In 2015, during the hiatus of Top Gear, he started his own channel titled "JM's Unemployment Tube," offering content centered on cooking and model construction; this channel had amassed over 235,000 subscribers by July 2025.
Subsequently, he created "James May's Planet Gin," a channel featuring similar thematic content with enhanced production quality, complementing his gin brand "James Gin," founded in 2021. By July 2025, this channel had attracted approximately 653,000 subscribers.
In 2016, May co-established DriveTribe, a social media platform tailored for automotive enthusiasts. By 2019, he transitioned to Foodtribe—a spin-off from DriveTribe—phasing out JM's Unemployment Tube in favor of culinary videos filmed within a modest kitchen setup dubbed "The Bug-out Bunker." This channel was later renamed "What Next?".
May became an internet sensation after a Foodtribe video showing him saying "cheese" while preparing sandwiches gained viral traction and inspired numerous memes.
Personal life
May lives in Hammersmith, West London, with Sarah Frater, an art critic and his partner since 2000. In July 2010, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Lancaster University, his alma mater where he studied music; he holds a Doctor of Letters degree.
In August 2014, May was among 200 public figures who signed an open letter published in The Guardian opposing Scottish independence ahead of the 2014 referendum. He backed the Remain campaign during the 2016 EU referendum and identifies politically as "liberal."
In 2020, May purchased a fifty percent stake in The Royal Oak pub located in Swallowcliffe, Wiltshire—a Grade II listed building dating back to the early eighteenth century.
Vehicles
Throughout his life, May has owned a diverse collection of vehicles including a 2005 Saab 9-5 Aero, Bentley T2, Rolls-Royce Phantom, Triumph 2000, Rover P6, Alfa Romeo 164, a 1971 Rolls-Royce Corniche, Jaguar XJS, a 1992 Range Rover Classic Vogue, Ferrari 308 GTB, both 2015 and 2021 models of the Toyota Mirai, Ferrari F430, Ferrari 458 Italia, a 1984 Porsche 911 Turbo, a 2019 Tesla Model S 100D, a 2016 BMW i3, and his first brand-new car purchase—a 2005 Porsche Boxster S.
At present, his vehicle collection includes a facelifted 2010 Porsche 911 Carrera S, a 2018 Alpine A110, Fiat Panda, Volkswagen Polo, Tesla Model 3 Highland edition, a prototype 1989 Rover Mini Cooper RSP, multiple Land Rover models, a Triumph Stag, a 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale (ordered after leaving Top Gear), and the VW Beach Buggy featured in The Grand Tour special "The Beach Buggy Boys." For daily commuting, he often uses a Brompton folding bicycle. Notably, May passed his driving test on his second attempt.
In October 2006, May obtained his light aircraft pilot’s licence following training at White Waltham Airfield. His aircraft ownership has included models such as the Luscombe 8A Silvaire, Cessna A185E Skywagon, and an American Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon (registration G-OCOK), which references a phrase frequently linked to him.
Television
DVD
| Year | Title | Label | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 'Oz & James' Big Wine Adventure: Series One' | Acorn Media | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 'James May's Motormania Car Quiz' | DMD | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007 | 'James May's 20th Century: The Complete Series' | ITV | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008 | 'Oz & James' Big Wine Adventure: Series Two' | Acorn Media | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009 | 'James May's Big Ideas: The Complete Series' | DMD |
- |'James May on the Moon'|| BBC DVD |
- |'James May's Amazing Brain Trainer'|| DMD |
- |'James May's Toy Stories: The Complete Series'|| Channel 4 |
- |'Oz and James Drink to Britain'|| Acorn Media |
- | 2010 |
'Top Gear: Apocalypse' | BBC DVD |
- | rowspan="2" | 2011 |
'James May's Man Lab: Series One' | Acorn Media |
- |'Top Gear: At The Movies'|| BBC DVD |
- | rowspan="2" | 2012 |
'James May's Man Lab: Series Two' | Acorn Media |
- |'Top Gear: Worst Car in the History of the World'|| BBC DVD |
- | rowspan="2" | 2013 |
'James May's Man Lab: Series Three' | Acorn Media |
- |'James May's Toy Stories: Balsa Wood Glider/Great Train Race'|| rowspan="3" | Channel 4 |
- | rowspan="2" | 2014 |
'James May's Toy Stories: The Motorcycle Diaries' |
- |'James May's Toy Stories: Action Man at the Speed of Sound' |
- | 2016 |
'James May: The Reassembler: Series One' | Spirit Entertainment Limited |
- | 2017 |
'James May: The Reassembler: Series Two' |
Video games
| Year | Title | Developer | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Forza Motorsport 5 | Turn 10 Studios | Voice narration |
| 2015 | Forza Motorsport 6 | Turn 10 Studios | |
| 2019 | The Grand Tour Game | Amazon Game Studios |
Television advertisements
| Year | Campaign | Appearance |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | London Pride | Himself |
| 2015 | The Tank Museum |
Bibliography
- May on Motors: On the Road with James May. Virgin Books. 2006. Reissued 2007.
- Oz and James's Big Wine Adventure. BBC Books. 2006.
- Notes from the Hard Shoulder. Virgin Books. 2007.
- James May's 20th Century. Hodder & Stoughton. 2007 (Hardcover). Reprinted 2007 (Paperback).
- James May's Magnificent Machines. Hodder & Stoughton. 2008.
- Oz and James Drink to Britain. Pavilion (Anova). 2009.
- James May's Car Fever. Hodder & Stoughton. 2009 (Hardcover). Reissued 2010 (Paperback).
- James May's Toy Stories. Conway (Anova). 2009.
- James May's Toy Stories: Lego House. Conway (Anova). 2010.
- James May's Toy Stories: Airfix Handbook. Conway (Anova). 2010.
- James May's Toy Stories: Scalextric Handbook. Conway (Anova). 2010.
- How to Land an A330 Airbus. Hodder & Stoughton. 2010 (Hardcover). Reissued 2011 (Paperback).
- James May's Man Lab: The Book of Usefulness. Hodder & Stoughton. 2011 (Hardcover). Reissued 2012 (Paperback)
- James May: On Board. Hodder & Stoughton. 2012.
- James May: The Reassembler. Hodder & Stoughton. 2017.
- James May: Oh Cook!. Pavilion. 2020.
- Carbolics: A Personal Motoring Disinfectant. Hodder & Stoughton. 2022.
Britcar 24 Hour results
| Year | Team | Co-Drivers | Vehicle | Car No. | Category | Laps completed | Pos. | Class Pos. |
Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Template:Country data GBRTemplate:Namespace detect showall Team Top Gear | Template:Country data GBRTemplate:Namespace detect showall Jeremy Clarkson Template:Country data GBRTemplate:Namespace detect showall "The Stig" Template:Country data GBRTemplate:Namespace detect showall Richard Hammond |
BMW 330d | 78 | 4 | 396 | 39th | 3rd |
External links
- Pages with script errors
- Articles with short description
- Articles with hCards
- No local image but image on Wikidata
- 1963 births
- 20th-century English journalists
- 21st-century English journalists
- Alumni of Lancaster University
- Alumni of Pendle College, Lancaster
- BBC television presenters
- Britcar 24-hour drivers
- British motoring journalists
- English male journalists
- English television presenters
- Journalists from Bristol
- Journalists from London
- Living people
- People from Hammersmith
- Television personalities from Bristol
- Television personalities from the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
- The Daily Telegraph people
- Writers from the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham