View source for James May

{{Short description|English television presenter and journalist (born 1963)}}
{{other people}}
{{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = James May
| image              = James May (cropped).jpg
| caption            = May in 2007
| other_names        = Captain Slow<br>Captain Sense of Direction<br>Mr. Slowly
| birth_name         = James Daniel May
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1963|1|16|df=yes}}
| birth_place        = [[Bristol]], England
| alma_mater         = [[Lancaster University]]
| occupation         = {{hlist|Broadcaster|columnist|author|journalist|businessman}}
| years_active       = {{start date|1980}}s–present
| employer           = {{unbulleted list|
*[[Amazon Prime Video]]
Former employers:
* [[BBC]]
* [[Channel 4]]
* [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]
* [[BSkyB|Sky]]
* ''[[The Engineer (UK magazine)|The Engineer]]''
*''[[Autocar (magazine)|Autocar]]''
*''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''

}}
| known_for          = {{Plainlist|
* ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear (2002 Series)]]'' (2003–15)
* ''[[James May's Toy Stories]]'' (2009, 2011–14)
* ''[[The Grand Tour]]'' (2016–24)
* ''[[James May: Our Man in...]]'' (2020–24)
* ''[[James May: Oh Cook!]]'' (2020–23)
}}
| height             = <!-- {{convert|6|ft|m|sigfig=3}} No evidence for this. However it will be hidden until a reliable source is found. -->
| spouse             = 
| partner            = Sarah Frater (2000–present)
| children           = 
| parents            = 
| relatives          = 
| website            = 
}}

'''James Daniel May''' (born 16 January 1963)<ref>{{cite news|title=My Secret Life: James May, TV presenter, age 45|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/my-secret-life-james-may-tv-presenter-age-45-943442.html|website=The Independent|access-date=16 January 2018|date=27 September 2008}}</ref> is an English television presenter, author and journalist. He is best known as a co-presenter, alongside [[Jeremy Clarkson]] and [[Richard Hammond]], of the motoring programme ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]]'' from 2003 until 2015 and the television series ''[[The Grand Tour]]'' for [[Amazon Prime Video]] from 2016 to 2024. He also served as a director of the production company W. Chump & Sons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/09668527/officers|title=W. Chump & Sons Limited Company Register|work=UK Companies House|access-date=2 July 2024}}</ref>

May has presented other programmes on themes including travel, science & technology, toys, wine culture, and the plight of [[manliness]] in modern times. He wrote a weekly column for ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''{{'}}s motoring section from 2003 to 2011.

==Early life==
James Daniel May was born in [[Bristol]], the son of [[aluminium]] factory manager James May and his wife Kathleen. He was one of four children; he has two sisters and a brother.<ref>{{cite news |last=Philby |first=Charlotte |date=27 September 2008 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/my-secret-life-james-may-tv-presenter-age-45-943442.html |title=My Secret Life: James May, TV presenter, age 45 |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |access-date=20 January 2010}}</ref> May attended [[Caerleon Endowed School]] in [[Newport, Wales|Newport]], Wales. He spent his teenage years in [[South Yorkshire]] where he attended [[Oakwood Technology College|Oakwood Comprehensive School]] in [[Rotherham]] and was a choirboy at [[Whiston, South Yorkshire|Whiston]] Parish Church.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/main.jhtml?xml=/motoring/2007/11/10/mrmay10.xml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071114103312/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/main.jhtml?xml=/motoring/2007/11/10/mrmay10.xml|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 November 2007|title=Frocks make a boy a man|author=James May|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=31 December 2007|date=10 November 2007 | location=London}}</ref>

May studied music at [[Pendle College, Lancaster|Pendle College]], [[Lancaster University]], where he learned to play the flute and piano; he also spent a year studying metalwork at a technical college.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/columnists/jamesmay/7893463/Top-Gears-James-May-awarded-honorary-degree.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/columnists/jamesmay/7893463/Top-Gears-James-May-awarded-honorary-degree.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Top Gear's James May awarded honorary degree|date=16 July 2010|access-date=13 February 2019|website=Telegraph.co.uk}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-01-24/james-may-on-chris-evans-amazon-and-life-after-top-gear/|title=James May on Chris Evans, Amazon and life after Top Gear|website=Radio Times|access-date=13 February 2019|archive-date=11 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511184330/https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-01-24/james-may-on-chris-evans-amazon-and-life-after-top-gear/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Crampton">{{cite web |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/i-am-more-liberal-than-people-think-xml2ps3ll |title=James May: 'I am more liberal than people think' |work=[[The Times]] |last=Crampton |first=Robert |date=10 June 2017 |access-date=30 July 2021 }}</ref> After graduating, May briefly worked in a number of jobs including for a car dealer, at a jewelry shop, in a pub, at a hospital in [[Chelsea, London|Chelsea]] as a records officer and had a short stint in [[Civil Service (United Kingdom)|the civil service]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/driving/article/james-may-i-helped-jeremy-clarkson-load-gargoyles-into-an-audi-5ltcm6vl6 |title=James May: ‘I helped Jeremy Clarkson load gargoyles into an Audi’ |access-date=2025-10-26}}</ref> He then took up journalism and broadcasting in his thirties.<ref>{{cite news
|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/the-mild-one-how-james-may-became-the-most-indemand-presenter-on-british-television-1771436.html
|title=The mild one: How James May became the most in-demand presenter on British television
|work=The Independent
|date=15 August 2009
|access-date=18 August 2009
| location=London
| first=Nick
| last=Duerden
}}</ref> He also held a part-time job as a [[Moulder (occupation)|moulder]] at the foundry his father was employed at and suggested in a 2017 interview with ''[[The Times]]'' that this formed his interest in mechanics.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/i-am-more-liberal-than-people-think-xml2ps3ll |title=James May: 'I am more liberal than people think' |work=[[The Times]] |last=Crampton |first=Robert |date=10 June 2017 |access-date=7 January 2023 }}</ref>

==Journalism career==
In 1989, May began working as a [[sub-editor]] for ''[[The Engineer (UK magazine)|The Engineer]]'' and later for ''[[Autocar (magazine)|Autocar]]'' magazine in the early 1990s, from which he was dismissed for performing a prank.<ref>{{cite news
 | url =https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/5561393/Interview-James-May.html
 | title      = Interview: James May
 | work       = The Telegraph
 | date       = 19 June 2009
 | author     = Michael Deacon
 | access-date = 12 September 2012
}}</ref> He subsequently wrote car review columns for ''[[Scotland on Sunday]]'' and ''[[Country Life (magazine)|Country Life]]'' and revealed in a 2025 interview with ''[[The Times]]'' that he was also sacked from those two positions.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/driving/article/james-may-i-helped-jeremy-clarkson-load-gargoyles-into-an-audi-5ltcm6vl6 |title=James May: ‘I helped Jeremy Clarkson load gargoyles into an Audi’ |access-date=2025-10-26}}</ref> He has since written for several publications, including the regular column ''England Made Me'' in ''[[Car Magazine]]'', articles for ''[[Top Gear (magazine)|Top Gear]]'' magazine, and a weekly column in ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''.

He has written the book ''May on Motors'' (2006), which is a collection of his published articles, and co-authored ''[[Oz and James's Big Wine Adventure]]'' (2006), based on the TV series of the same name. He wrote the afterword to ''Long Lane with Turnings'', published in September 2006, the final book by motoring writer [[L. J. K. Setright]]. In the same month, he co-presented a tribute to [[Raymond Baxter]]. ''Notes From The Hard Shoulder'' and ''James May's 20th Century'', a book to accompany the television series of the same name, were published in 2007.

===Dismissal from ''Autocar''===
[[File:JamesMayAutocar.jpg|thumb|right|James May's hidden message]]
In an interview with [[Richard Allinson]] on [[BBC Radio 2]],<ref>BBC Radio 2, broadcast 6 January 2006</ref> May confessed that in 1992 he was dismissed from ''[[Autocar (magazine)|Autocar]]'' magazine after putting together an [[acrostic]] in one issue. At the end of the year, the magazine's "Road Test Yearbook" supplement was published. Each spread featured four reviews and each review started with a large red letter (known in [[typography]] as an [[initial]] or a [[drop cap]]). May's role was to put the entire supplement together.

To alleviate the tedium, May wrote each review such that the initials on the first four spreads read "ROAD", "TEST", "YEAR" and "BOOK". Subsequent spreads seemingly had random letters, starting with "SOYO" and "UTHI"; when punctuated, these letters spelt out the message: "So you think it's really good, yeah? You should try making the bloody thing up; it's a real pain in the arse."<ref name="theage">{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/tv--radio/captain-slow-takes-the-fast-lane/2008/06/18/1213468491019.html |title=Captain Slow takes the fast lane – TV & Radio – Entertainment |work=The Age |date= 19 June 2008|access-date=5 November 2009 | location=Melbourne}}</ref>

In a 2019 interview with Carscoops.com, May stated that while the hidden message originally passed through the magazine's pre-printing review processes unnoticed, he was found out when readers began calling in to ''Autocar''{{'}}s offices, thinking there might be a prize involved. Upon learning of this, the magazine's management called for May to be fired.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Karkafiris |first=Michael |date=July 15, 2019 |title=James May Opens Up About The Time He Got Fired From Autocar |url=https://www.carscoops.com/2019/07/james-may-opens-up-about-the-time-he-got-fired-from-autocar/ |access-date=March 23, 2024 |website=Carscoops.com}}</ref>

==Television career==
His past television credits include presenting ''[[Driven (TV series)|Driven]]'' on [[Channel 4]] in 1998, narrating an eight-part [[BBC One]] series called ''Road Rage School'',<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0561982/ James May] Internet Movie Database</ref> and co-hosting the [[ITV1]] coverage of the ''2006 [[London Boat Show]].''<ref name="speakerscorner.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.speakerscorner.co.uk/file/3a6850ee99183a512648ec2d63c165fb/james-may-top-gear-motoring-speaker-awards-host-after-dinner-humorist.html |title=James May, Top Gear presenter, after-dinner speaker and awards host |publisher=Speakers Corner |access-date=5 November 2009}}</ref> He also wrote and presented a Christmas special called ''[[James May's Top Toys]]'' (for BBC One). ''[[James May: My Sisters' Top Toys]]'' attempted to investigate the gender divide of toy appeal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008l2vq |title=Two Programmes – James May: My Sister's Top Toys |publisher=BBC |access-date=5 November 2009}}</ref> In series 3, episode 3<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbcamerica.com/content/159/f-word-season-3-episode-3.jsp |title=Season 3 Episode 3 – Gordon Ramsay's F Word |publisher=BBC America |access-date=8 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100717025139/http://www.bbcamerica.com/content/159/f-word-season-3-episode-3.jsp |archive-date=17 July 2010 }}</ref> of [[Gordon Ramsay]]'s ''[[The F Word (British TV series)|The F Word]]'', May managed to beat Ramsay in eating [[bull]] penis and [[Hákarl|rotten shark]] and with his [[fish pie]] recipe.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/interview-with-gordon-ramsay-on-the-f-word/ |title=Interview with Gordon Ramsay on the 'F' Word @ Unreality Primetime |access-date=9 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091114042822/http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/interview-with-gordon-ramsay-on-the-f-word/ |archive-date=14 November 2009 |df=dmy-all }} "The worst ever would have to be James May, with his fish pie. Even though he won, which was extraordinary. He was drinking a bottle of red wine throughout the challenge, so I thought it was in the bag."</ref><ref>[http://www.channel4.com/food/recipes/chefs/gordon-ramsay/posh-fish-pie-recipe_p_1.html] "This recipe is Gordon's version of a posh fish pie originally made by James May."</ref>

===''Top Gear''===
{{main|Top Gear (2002 TV series)}}
[[File:Top Gear team Richard Hammond, James May and Jeremy Clarkson 31 October 2008.jpg|right|thumb| BBC Top Gear presenting team of [[Richard Hammond]], James May and [[Jeremy Clarkson]], 2009]]
May was briefly a co-presenter of the original ''[[Top Gear (1977 TV series)|Top Gear]]'' series in 1999. During an interview in 2020, Jeremy Clarkson claimed that the show's original producers had decided to replace him with May in 1999, though they felt dissatisfied with May as he was soon fired in 2000, shortly before the entire programme was cancelled the following year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hotcars.com/heres-how-james-may-rose-to-become-a-motoring-icon-/|title=Here's How James May Rose To Petrolhead Royalty|date=26 July 2021 }}</ref> In 2002, May auditioned for the new version of ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]]'' but was initially rejected by BBC executives who felt that his background was too similar to Clarkson and Hammond's and had limited appeal. Following the first season of Top Gear's relaunch, Clarkson managed to convince the show's producer [[Andy Wilman]] in 2003 to rehire May as [[Jason Dawe (presenter)|Jason Dawe's]] replacement. By May's admission in 2025, he and Clarkson had met during the launch of a new [[Audi A4]] convertible in France and after disagreeing on the car, Clarkson had thought the bickering between them would work on the programme.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xDld_bGuZk|title=Jeremy Clarkson on the first time he met Richard Hammond and James May|website=[[YouTube]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/driving/article/james-may-i-helped-jeremy-clarkson-load-gargoyles-into-an-audi-5ltcm6vl6 |title=James May: ‘I helped Jeremy Clarkson load gargoyles into an Audi’ |access-date=2025-10-26}}</ref>

May first co-presented the revived series of ''Top Gear'' in its second series in 2003,<ref>{{cite news|title=Top Gear's James May Shifts His Career Into Overdrive|url=http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2010/03/17/gears-james-takes-career-overdrive/|publisher=Fox News|date=17 March 2010|access-date=5 March 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412215827/http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2010/03/17/gears-james-takes-career-overdrive/|archive-date=12 April 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> where he earned the nickname "Captain Slow" owing to his careful driving style, and his [[OCD]]-like obsessions with order.<ref name="theage"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNyidq8iWD4|title=Top Gear - Tampons and James May's OCD|website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> Despite this sobriquet, he has done some especially high-speed driving – in [[Top Gear (series 9)|the 2007 series]], he took a [[Bugatti Veyron]] to its top speed of {{convert|253|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, then [[Top Gear (series 15)|in 2010]] he achieved {{convert|259.11|mph|km/h|abbr=on|0}} in the Veyron's newer 16.4 Super Sport edition.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/james-may-bugatti-veyron-supersport?imageNo=12 |title=James in the Bugatti Veyron SuperSport |work=Top Gear |access-date=26 November 2011 |archive-date=14 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114221012/http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/james-may-bugatti-veyron-supersport?imageNo=12 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In an earlier episode he also tested the original version of the Bugatti Veyron against the [[Pagani Zonda F]].

May, along with co-presenter [[Jeremy Clarkson]] and an Icelandic support crew, travelled by car to the [[magnetic North Pole]] in 2007, using a modified [[Toyota Hilux]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/2235451/Top-Gears-Jeremy-Clarkson-criticised-for-glamorising-drink-driving.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/2235451/Top-Gears-Jeremy-Clarkson-criticised-for-glamorising-drink-driving.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title= Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson criticised for glamorising drink driving|publisher=The Telegraph|date=2 July 2008|access-date=31 March 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/7035252/Copy-Top-Gears-polar-trip.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/7035252/Copy-Top-Gears-polar-trip.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live| title= Copy Top Gear's polar trip|publisher=The Telegraph|date=21 January 2010|access-date=31 March 2015| last1= Williams| first1= David}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In the words of Clarkson, May was the first person to go there "who didn't want to be there". He also drove a modified Toyota Hilux up the side of the erupting volcano [[Eyjafjallajökull]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldcarfans.com/110041925739/toyota-hilux-taunts-icelands-volcano-moments-before-eruption|title=Toyota Hilux taunts Iceland's volcano moments before eruption – Top Gear takes credit|publisher=WorldCarFans|date=19 April 2010|access-date=31 March 2015}}</ref>

Following the BBC's decision not to renew [[Jeremy Clarkson]]'s contract with the show on 25 March 2015,<ref name="ClarksonDropped">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32052736|agency=[[BBC News Online]]|title=Jeremy Clarkson dropped from Top Gear, BBC confirms – BBC News|date=25 March 2015|access-date=25 March 2015}}</ref> May stated in April 2015 that he would not continue to present ''Top Gear'' as part of a new line-up of presenters.<ref name=Guardian>{{cite news|title= Top Gear: James May rules out returning without Jeremy Clarkson |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/apr/23/james-may-top-gear-jeremy-clarkson-bbc-richard-hammond|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=23 April 2015|access-date=23 April 2015}}</ref>

===Science===
May presented ''Inside Killer Sharks'', a documentary for [[British Sky Broadcasting|Sky]], and ''[[James May's 20th Century]]'', investigating inventions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.open2.net/20thcentury/index.html |title=BBC/OU Open2.net – James May's 20th Century |publisher=Open2.net |access-date=5 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091121042551/http://www.open2.net/20thcentury/index.html |archive-date=21 November 2009 }}</ref> He flew in a [[Royal Air Force]] [[Eurofighter Typhoon]] at a speed of around 1320&nbsp;mph (2124&nbsp;km/h) for his television programme, ''James May's 20th Century''. In late 2008, the BBC broadcast ''[[James May's Big Ideas]]'', a three-part series in which May travelled around the globe in search of implementations for concepts widely considered science fiction.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.open2.net/jamesmay/ |title=BBC/OU Open2.net – James May's Big Ideas |publisher=Open2.net |access-date=5 November 2009 |archive-date=25 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925044648/http://www.open2.net/jamesmay/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> He also presented ''[[James May's Man Lab]]'' from 2010 to 2013. In 2013, May narrated ''To Space & Back'', a documentary on the influence of developments in space exploration on modern technology produced by Sky-Skan and [[The Franklin Institute]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fulldomeshows.com/tospaceandback/index.html |title=To Space & Back with James May |website=fulldomeshows.com |access-date=11 March 2015 |archive-date=28 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428142553/http://www.fulldomeshows.com/tospaceandback/index.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===''James May on the Moon''===
{{main|James May on the Moon|James May at the Edge of Space}}
''James May on the Moon'' (BBC 2, 2009) commemorated 40 years since man first landed on the Moon.<ref name="James May on the Moon">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00lfdbv |title=James May on the Moon |publisher=BBC |date=7 July 2013 |access-date=2 September 2013}}</ref> This was followed by another documentary on [[BBC Four]] called ''James May at the Edge of Space'', where May was flown to the stratosphere (70,000&nbsp;ft) in a [[US Air Force]] [[Lockheed U-2]] spy plane. Highlights of the footage from the training for the flight, and the flight itself was used in ''James May on the Moon'', but was shown fully in this programme.<ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00lc5ph |title=James May at the Edge of Space |publisher=BBC |date=8 March 2012 |access-date=2 September 2013}}</ref> This made him one of the highest flying people, along with the pilot, at that time, after the crew of the [[International Space Station]].<ref name="bbc.co.uk" />

===''James May's Toy Stories''===
{{main|James May's Toy Stories}}
[[File:James May Toy Stories 2009 (2).jpg|thumb|May in 2009 during filming for ''[[James May's Toy Stories]]'']]
Beginning in October 2009, May presented a six-part TV series showing favourite toys of the past era and whether they can be applied in the modern-day. The toys featured were [[Airfix]], [[Plasticine]], [[Meccano]], [[Scalextric]], [[Lego]] and [[Hornby Railways|Hornby]]. In each show, May attempts to take each toy to its limits, also fulfilling several of his boyhood dreams in the process. In August 2009, May built a full-sized house out of Lego at [[Denbies Wine Estate]] in Surrey.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/surrey/8179678.stm |title=UK &#124; May starts building Lego house |work=BBC News |date=1 August 2009 |access-date=5 November 2009}}</ref> Plans for Legoland to move it to their theme park fell through in September 2009 because costs to deconstruct, move and then rebuild were too high;<ref>''Radio Times'' 24–30 October 2009</ref> despite a final Facebook appeal for someone to take it, it was demolished on 22 September, with the plastic bricks planned to be donated to charity.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8269479.stm |title=Entertainment &#124; James May's Lego house demolished |work=BBC News |date=22 September 2009 |access-date=5 November 2009}}</ref>

Also for the series, he recreated the banked track at [[Brooklands]] using Scalextric track,<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/surrey/8187656.stm May to attempt Scalextric record], BBC News, 7 August 2009. Retrieved 9 August 2009</ref> and an attempt at the world's longest working model railway along the [[Tarka Trail]] between [[Barnstaple]] and [[Bideford]] in North Devon, although the attempt was foiled due to parts of the track being stolen and vandals placing coins on the track, causing a short circuit.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/devon/8219567.stm|title=Model train record bid off track|date=25 August 2009|work=[[BBC Online]]|access-date=29 December 2013}}</ref> Later, in 2011, May tried for the record again, proposing a race between German model railroad enthusiasts and their British counterparts. The two teams would start at opposite ends along double tracked mainline. This time, the effort succeeded with both teams successfully running three trains the entire route.<ref name="BBC_GTR">{{cite web|title=The Great Train Race |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0120z75 |work=(Programme listing) |publisher=BBC |access-date=7 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610074740/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0120z75 |archive-date=10 June 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>

A special Christmas Episode called ''Flight Club'', aired in December 2012. In this special, James and his team built a huge toy glider that flew 22 miles (35&nbsp;km) from Devon to the island of [[Lundy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01pmbmx |title=BBC Two James May's Toy Stories: Flight Club |publisher=BBC |access-date=25 January 2013}}</ref>

In 2013, May created a life-size, fully functional motorcycle and sidecar made entirely out of the construction toy [[Meccano]]. Joined by [[Oz Clarke]], he then completed a full lap of the [[Isle of Man TT Mountain Course|Isle of Man TT Course]], a full {{fraction|37|3|4}} mile-long circuit.

===Oz and James===
{{main|Oz and James's Big Wine Adventure|Oz and James Drink to Britain}}

In late 2006, the BBC broadcast ''Oz and James's Big Wine Adventure'', a series in which May, a committed [[bitter (beer)|bitter]] drinker, travelled around France with wine expert [[Oz Clarke]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/tv_and_radio/wineadventure_about.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061209203714/http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/tv_and_radio/wineadventure_about.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 December 2006 |title=Food – TV and radio – Episode guide |publisher=BBC |access-date=5 November 2009}}</ref> A second series was broadcast in late 2007, this time with May and Clarke in the Californian wine country,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/tv_and_radio/wineadventure_interviewjames.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071223120208/http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/tv_and_radio/wineadventure_interviewjames.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 December 2007 |title=Food – TV and Radio |publisher=BBC |access-date=5 November 2009}}</ref> and was followed by a third series in 2009 called ''Oz and James Drink to Britain''.

===''James May: Our Man in...''===
{{main|James May: Our Man in...}}
In January 2020, May hosted a travel documentary named ''James May: Our Man in Japan'', the 6-episode series was released on [[Amazon Prime Video]] and follows May's journey from the north end of [[Japan]] to its south. Over the course of three months, May explores and participate in many activities to truly understand the country which has intrigued him for a long time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/James-May-Our-Japan-Season/dp/B082WM379P |title=Watch James May: Our Man In Japan |publisher=Amazon |access-date=20 January 2020}}</ref> During the trip through major cities like [[Tokyo]] and [[Kyoto]], he is accompanied by a cast of different guides and translators.

A second series, ''James May: Our Man in Italy'', is a travel documentary with May on a journey throughout the regions of Italy from Palermo to the Dolomites on a trip exploring the culture, food, and more.<ref>{{cite web |title=James May: Our Man in Italy |url=https://press.amazonstudios.com/us/en/original-series/james-may-our-man-in/2 |publisher=Amazon Studios |access-date=18 August 2022}}</ref>

A third series, ''James May: Our Man in India'', is another travel documentary with James May on a journey throughout the country of India.<ref>{{cite web |title=Prime Video Confirms Two New Series for James May|url=https://press.amazonstudios.com/us/en/press-release/amayzing-prime-video-confirms-two-new-series-for-j |publisher=Amazon Studios |access-date=10 December 2023}}</ref> In October 2024, May confirmed the series was cancelled.<ref>{{cite web |title=James May confirms his Our Man In... series has been cancelled |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/james-may-our-man-in-cancelled-prime-video-143924126.html |accessdate=28 October 2024 |website=Yahoo News |date=28 October 2024 }}</ref>

==Internet presence==
[[File:James May Lancaster University 2010 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|upright|May in 2010]]

May created Head Squeeze<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/worldwide/310113youtube.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130504222259/http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/worldwide/310113youtube.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 May 2013|title=James May fronts BBC Worldwide's latest original YouTube channel – Head Squeeze|date=31 January 2013|publisher=BBC|access-date=29 April 2013}}</ref> (now renamed "BBC Earth Lab"; May no longer features as a presenter). The channel is a mix of science, technology, history and current affairs. The first video was published in December 2012. Videos are produced by 360 Production<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.360production.com/project2.html|title=Head Squeeze – YouTube|publisher=360production.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224080446/http://www.360production.com/project2.html|archive-date=24 February 2014|url-status=dead|access-date=11 December 2013}}</ref> for [[BBC Worldwide]].

May created his own [[YouTube]] channel, titled "JM's Unemployment Tube", in 2015 after ''Top Gear'' was postponed by the BBC following Jeremy Clarkson's dismissal. Mainly featuring cooking videos filmed from his kitchen, as well as mock builds of [[Airfix]] models, the channel has over 235,000 subscribers as of July 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/top-gear/11501377/Top-Gear-presenter-James-May-posts-first-video-on-unemployment-YouTube-channel.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/top-gear/11501377/Top-Gear-presenter-James-May-posts-first-video-on-unemployment-YouTube-channel.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Top Gear presenter James May posts first video on 'unemployment' YouTube channel|date=|work=[[The Independent]]|access-date=18 April 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

He has since moved on and created a new channel, titled "James May's Planet Gin" where he covers similar topics as on his previous channel but with a higher production quality. He also promotes his own gin business "James Gin" which he has been running since 2021. As of July 2025, the channel has approximately 653,000 subscribers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=May |first=James |date= |title=James May's Planet Gin |url=https://www.youtube.com/@JamesMayDrinks/videos |website=YouTube}}</ref>

In 2016, May launched, with his former ''Top Gear'' presenters, a [[Social networking service|social network]] for motoring fans called [[DriveTribe]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/09/06/motoring-community-drivetribe-secures-6-5m-from-21st-century-fox/|title=Motoring community DriveTribe secures $6.5M from 21st Century Fox|last=Butcher|first=Mike|website=TechCrunch|date=6 September 2016 |access-date=25 April 2017}}</ref>

In 2019, May moved on to created videos on a Drivetribe spin-off brand Foodtribe (replacing JM's Unemployment Tube) frequently using a small, [[bedsit]]-like kitchen setup called "The Bug-out Bunker".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.autoevolution.com/news/james-may-talks-about-cheese-and-eggs-on-new-foodtribe-channel-140550.html|title=James May talks about cheese and eggs on new Foodtrive channel|work=Auto Revolution|date=24 January 2020 |access-date=13 October 2020}}</ref> The channel has since been rebranded as "What Next?"<ref>{{YouTube|id=1XNqGvNKJWM|title=Richard Hammond announces something NEW {{!}} What Next?}}</ref>

May became an [[Internet meme]] when one of his Foodtribe videos went viral. In it, while preparing to make two cheese sandwiches, May bluntly uttered the word "cheese" after placing a block of [[Red Leicester]] on a table.<ref>{{Citation |title=James May finds the ultimate cheese sandwich |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFGGDq4JFhc |language=en |access-date=2022-08-22}}</ref> The quote went viral, and was used in various memes and image macros.

==Personal life==
May currently owns homes in [[Wiltshire]] and [[Hammersmith]], West London, with art critic Sarah Frater, with whom he has been in a relationship since 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://transmission.blogs.topgear.com/2011/01/23/video-behind-the-scenes-at-the-first-of-the-new-series/ |title=Transmission – BBC Top Gear Video: behind-the-scenes at the first of the new series « |publisher=Transmission.blogs.topgear.com |date=23 January 2011 |access-date=26 November 2011}}</ref> In July 2010, May was awarded an honorary doctorate by [[Lancaster University]], where he had previously studied music.<ref>{{cite news|title=Top Gear presenter James May awarded honorary doctorate|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lancashire-10649036|publisher=BBC|access-date=3 August 2015|date=15 July 2010}}</ref> He holds a [[Doctor of Letters]] degree.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://drivetribe.com/p/james-may-answers-the-internets-WL9EwdwnSg2AnI3L-7VUAw |title=James May answers the internet's questions |date=12 May 2019 |access-date=12 May 2019 |archive-date=12 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512201636/https://drivetribe.com/p/james-may-answers-the-internets-WL9EwdwnSg2AnI3L-7VUAw |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2020, May bought half the ownership of a pub in [[Swallowcliffe]], Wiltshire, called The Royal Oak,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-wiltshire-54219020|title=James May buys 'half' of Royal Oak in Swallowcliffe|date=19 September 2020|website=BBC News}}</ref> which dates from the early 18th century and is a Grade II [[listed building]].<ref>{{National Heritage List for England|num=1250756|desc=The Royal Oak, Swallowcliffe|access-date=24 May 2015|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>

===Views and advocacy===
In August 2014, May was one of 200 public figures who were signatories to a letter to ''[[The Guardian]]'' expressing their hope that Scotland would vote against [[Scottish independence|independence]] from the United Kingdom in September's [[2014 Scottish independence referendum|referendum on that issue]] and supported Scotland remaining part of the UK.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/aug/07/celebrities-open-letter-scotland-independence-full-text |title=Celebrities' open letter to Scotland – full text and list of signatories |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=7 August 2014 |access-date=26 August 2014}}</ref>

In June 2016, he supported [[Britain Stronger in Europe|Remain]] in the [[2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum|EU referendum]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/16/jeremy-clarkson-david-cameron-my-gut-says-stay-in-the-eu|title=Jeremy Clarkson tells David Cameron 'my gut says stay in the EU'|date=16 June 2016|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=9 December 2017}}</ref> May has described his political leanings as "[[Social liberalism|liberal]]".<ref name="Crampton"/> During a 2024 interview with ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' on the topics of masculinity, hobbies and the impact of politics on the car industry, May argued "I believe in progress, in the modern world" but criticised the effects of what he termed the "[[Woke#2019–present: as a pejorative)| wokerati]]" on broadcast media for encouraging negative stereotypes that traditional engineering pursuits are "pale, male and stale" and said "You do see people saying white men are the root of all problems, and I'm sure we have been the root of many of them. But I certainly don't feel obliged to go round apologising for being an old white man, because I can operate a screw-cutting lathe and most people can't."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2024/10/19/james-may-on-age-the-wokerati-and-dull-men/#:~:text=He%20also%20wonders%20whether%20some%20of%20the,be%20suspicious%20of%20what%20they%20see%20as |title=James May: ‘I don’t feel I need to apologise for being an old white man’ |access-date=2025-10-26}}</ref>

===Vehicles===
May has owned many cars. These include a 2005 [[Saab 9-5#First generation (YS3E, 1997–2010)|Saab 9-5 Aero]], [[Bentley T-series|Bentley T2]], [[Rolls-Royce Phantom]], [[Triumph 2000]], [[Rover P6]], [[Alfa Romeo 164]], 1971 [[Rolls-Royce Corniche]], [[Triumph Vitesse]], [[Jaguar XJS]], 1992 [[Range Rover Classic]] Vogue, [[Nissan Sunny#B210 (1973–1977)|Datsun 120Y]], [[Vauxhall Cavalier#Mark I (1975–1981)|Vauxhall Cavalier Mk1]], a [[Ferrari 308 GTB/GTS|Ferrari 308 GTB]], a 2015 [[Toyota Mirai]], a 2021 [[Toyota Mirai]],<ref>{{cite web |date=4 July 2021 |title=James May properly drives his new car for the first time |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v99AthjW78Uo |website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}}</ref> [[Ferrari F430]], [[Ferrari 458 Italia]], 1984 [[Porsche 911 (930)|Porsche 911 Turbo]], a 2019 [[Tesla Model S|Tesla Model S 100D]],<ref>{{cite web |date=25 December 2019 |title=James May reviews his own cars – Tesla Model S vs Toyota Mirai |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaIW5CQQ3Zo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/GaIW5CQQ3Zo |archive-date=2021-12-21 |website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> a 2016 [[BMW i3]], and a 2005 [[Porsche Boxster/Cayman#Second generation: Boxster/Cayman (987.1) (2005–2008) & (987.2) (2009-2012)|Porsche Boxster S]] (which he claims is the first car he has ever purchased new).<ref>{{cite news|last=May |first=James |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/main.jhtml?xml=/motoring/2005/10/22/mrmay22.xml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012103741/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/main.jhtml?xml=/motoring/2005/10/22/mrmay22.xml |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 October 2007 |title=As seen on TV: Porsche breaks the spell of perfection |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=22 October 2005 |access-date=5 November 2009 | location=London}}</ref>

May currently owns a 2010 [[Porsche 997#Second phase (2009–2013)|Porsche 911 Carrera S facelift]], a 2018 [[Alpine A110 (2017)|Alpine A110]], a [[Fiat Panda#Second generation (169; 2003)|Fiat Panda]], a [[Volkswagen Polo]], a [[Tesla Model 3|Tesla Model 3 Highland]], a prototype 1989 Rover [[Mini|Mini Cooper]] RSP,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Collecting Cars - 1989 Rover Mini Cooper RSP auction (James May's specific car) |url=https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/1989-rover-mini-cooper-rsp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240902152308/https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/1989-rover-mini-cooper-rsp |archive-date=2 September 2024 |access-date=26 August 2024 |website=Collecting Cars}}</ref> "a couple of Land Rovers", a [[Triumph Stag]], a 2015 [[Ferrari 458 Speciale]] which he ordered following his exit from ''Top Gear'' and the [[Meyers Manx|VW Beach Buggy]] used in ''[[The Grand Tour]]'' Special "The Beach Buggy Boys".<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBzqDJ7bCdU |title=James May - TST Podcast #947 |date=2024-08-20 |last=TheSmokingTirePodcast |access-date=2024-08-20 |via=YouTube}}</ref> He often uses a [[Brompton Bicycle|Brompton folding bicycle]] for commuting.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/2739714/Mines-a-pint-a-preposterous-excuse-for-a-Porsche.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/2739714/Mines-a-pint-a-preposterous-excuse-for-a-Porsche.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Mine's a pint: a preposterous excuse for a Porsche|date=3 February 2006|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=21 March 2009|quote=James May with his Brompton bike | location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He passed his driving test on his second attempt and justified this by saying "All the best people pass the second time".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uktv.co.uk/dave/item/aid/570303 |title=Dave: What's on Dave: James May interview |publisher=Uktv.co.uk |date=29 March 2007 |access-date=5 November 2009}}</ref>

May obtained a [[Light aircraft pilot licence|light aircraft pilot's licence]] in October 2006, having trained at [[White Waltham Airfield]]. He has owned a [[Luscombe 8#Specifications: Model 8A (Silvaire)|Luscombe 8A Silvaire]], a [[Cessna 185 Skywagon|Cessna A185E Skywagon]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Incident Cessna A185E Skywagon - SE-FMX, 05 April 2014 |url=https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=179976 |website=Aviation Safety Network - Flight Safety Foundation |access-date=14 August 2019}}</ref> and an [[American Champion Decathlon|American Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon]] with registration G-OCOK, which serves as a reference to a common phrase attributed to him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/G-OCOK.html |title=Aircraft G-OCOK, 1999 American Champion Aircraft 8KCAB C/N 825-99 |publisher=Airport-data.com |date=13 June 2008 |access-date=2 September 2013}}</ref>

==Filmography==
===Television===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Title !! Role
|-
| 1998 || ''[[Driven (TV series)|Driven]]'' || rowspan=14|Presenter
|-
| 1999 || ''[[Top Gear (1977 TV series)|Top Gear (original run)]]''
|-
| 2003–2015, 2021|| ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]]''
|-
| 2005 || ''[[James May's Top Toys]]''
|-
| 2006–2007 || ''[[Oz and James's Big Wine Adventure]]''
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2007 || ''[[Top Gear of the Pops]]''
|-
|''[[James May's 20th Century]]''
|-
|''[[James May: My Sisters' Top Toys]]''
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2008 || ''[[Top Ground Gear Force]]''
|-
|''[[James May's Big Ideas]]''
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2009 || ''[[Oz and James Drink to Britain]]''
|-
|''[[James May on the Moon]]''
|-
|''[[James May at the Edge of Space]]''
|-
| 2009–2014 || ''[[James May's Toy Stories]]''
|-
| 2010 || ''[[Shooting Stars (British TV series)|Shooting Stars]]'' || Guest
|-
| 2010–2013 || ''[[James May's Man Lab]]'' || rowspan=3|Presenter
|-
| 2011–2012 || ''[[James May's Things You Need to Know]]''
|-
| 2014–2016 || ''[[James May's Cars of the People]]''
|-
| 2014 || ''[[Phineas and Ferb]]'' || Ian
|-
| 2015 || ''Building Cars Live'' || rowspan="4" |Presenter
|-
| 2016–2017 ||''[[James May: The Reassembler]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b076nwjz|title=Series 1, James May: The Reassembler - BBC Four|website=BBC|access-date=13 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b086t743|title=BBC Four - James May: The Reassembler|website=BBC|access-date=13 February 2019}}</ref><ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/06/james-may-to-reassemble-kenwood-food-mixer-in-new-bbc-slow-tv-se/ James May to reassemble Kenwood food mixer in new BBC 'Slow TV' series] 6 September 2016</ref>''
|-
| 2016–2024 ||''[[The Grand Tour]]''
|-
| rowspan="2" |2019 ||''James May's Big Trouble in Model Britain''
|-
|''[[Al Murray's Great British Pub Quiz]]''
|Guest
|-
| 2020–2024
|''[[James May: Our Man in...]]''
| rowspan="2" |Presenter
|-
| 2020–2023
|''[[James May: Oh Cook!]]''
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2023 || ''Little Trains & Big Names with Pete Waterman'' || Guest
|-
| ''Yuganayak Swami Vivekananda''
| Professor
|-
| 2024
| ''James May and the Dull Men''
| rowspan="3" | Presenter
|-
| rowspan="5" | 2025
| ''The Great Explorers with James May''
|-
|''The Not Very Grand Tour''
|-
| ''Perfect Pub Walks with Alexander Armstrong''
| rowspan="2" | Guest
|-
| ''[[Clarkson's Farm]]''
|-
| ''James May: Shed Load of Ideas'' 
| Presenter
|}

===DVD===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title !! Label
|-
| rowspan="2" | 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
|-
| rowspan="5" | 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''|| rowspan="2" | Spirit Entertainment Limited
|-
| 2017
|''James May: The Reassembler: Series Two''
|}

===Video games===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title !! Developer !! Role
|-
| 2013
|''[[Forza Motorsport 5]]''||[[Turn 10 Studios]]|| rowspan="3" | Voice over
|-
| 2015
|''[[Forza Motorsport 6]]''||[[Turn 10 Studios]]
|-
| 2019
|''[[The Grand Tour Game]]'' || [[Amazon Game Studios]]
|}

===Television advertisements===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Year
!Title
!Role
|-
|2010
|[[London Pride (beer)|London Pride]]
| rowspan="2" |Himself
|-
|2015
|[[The Tank Museum]]
|}

==Bibliography==
* ''May on Motors: On the Road with James May.'' Virgin Books. 2006. Reprinted 2007. {{ISBN|9780753511862}}
* ''Oz and James's Big Wine Adventure.'' BBC Books. 2006. {{ISBN|9780563539001}}
* ''Notes from the Hard Shoulder.'' Virgin Books. 2007. {{ISBN|9780753512029}}
* ''James May's 20th Century.'' Hodder & Stoughton. 2007 (H/B). Reprinted 2007 (P/B). {{ISBN|9780340950906}}
* ''James May's Magnificent Machines.'' Hodder & Stoughton. 2008. {{ISBN|9780340950920}}
* ''Oz and James Drink to Britain.'' Pavilion (Anova). 2009. {{ISBN|9781862058460}}
* ''James May's Car Fever.'' Hodder & Stoughton. 2009 (H/B). Reprinted 2010 (P/B). {{ISBN|9780340994559}}
* ''James May's Toy Stories.'' Conway (Anova). 2009. {{ISBN|9781844861071}}
* ''James May's Toy Stories: Lego House.'' Conway (Anova). 2010. {{ISBN|9781844861187}}
* ''James May's Toy Stories: Airfix Handbook.'' Conway (Anova). 2010. {{ISBN|9781844861163}}
* ''James May's Toy Stories: Scalextric Handbook.'' Conway (Anova). 2010. {{ISBN|9781844861170}}
* ''How to Land an A330 Airbus.'' Hodder & Stoughton. 2010 (H/B). Reprinted 2011 (P/B). {{ISBN|9781402269554}}
* ''James May's Man Lab: The Book of Usefulness.'' Hodder & Stoughton. 2011 (H/B). Reprinted 2012 (P/B) {{ISBN|9781444736328}}
* ''James May: On Board.'' Hodder & Stoughton. 2012. {{ISBN|9780340994597}}
* ''James May: The Reassembler.'' Hodder & Stoughton. 2017. {{ISBN|9781473656932}}
* ''James May: Oh Cook!.'' Pavilion. 2020. {{ISBN|9781911663157}}
* ''Carbolics: A Personal Motoring Disinfectant''. Hodder & Stoughton. 2022. {{ISBN|9781399713702}}<ref>{{Cite web| title = Carbolics| access-date = 2024-10-09| website=Hodder & Stoughton| date = 2022-05-20| url = https://www.hodder.co.uk/titles/james-may/carbolics/9781399713702/}}</ref>

==Britcar 24 Hour results==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%"
|-
! Year
! Team
! Co-Drivers
! Car
! {{Tooltip|Car No.|Car number}}
! Class
! Laps
! {{Tooltip|Pos.|Overall Position}}
! {{Tooltip|Class<br />Pos.|Class Position}}
! Ref
|- style="text-align:center;"
! [[2007 Britcar 24 Hour|2007]]
|align="left"| {{flagicon|GBR}} Team Top Gear
|align="left"| {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Jeremy Clarkson]]<br>{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Ben Collins (racing driver)|"The Stig"]]<br>{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Richard Hammond]]
|align="left"| [[BMW 3 Series (E46)|BMW 330d]]
| 78
| 4
| 396
| 39th
|style="background:#FFDF9F;"| '''3rd'''
| <ref>{{cite web|title=Britcar 24 Hours – Provisional Result|url=https://archive2.dailysportscar.com/viewArticle.cfm@articleUID=EB269CAD-1143-FDC9-35112B6B639762A4.html|year=2007|publisher=DailySportsCar|access-date=11 June 2023}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
* {{IMDb name|0561982}}

{{s-start}}
{{succession box | before = [[David Tremayne]] | title = Guild of Motoring Writers<br />Journalist of the Year Award | years=2000 | after=[[David Tremayne]]}}
{{s-end}}{{James May}}{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:May, James}}
[[Category:1963 births]]
[[Category:20th-century English journalists]]
[[Category:21st-century English journalists]]
[[Category:Alumni of Lancaster University]]
[[Category:Alumni of Pendle College, Lancaster]]
[[Category:BBC television presenters]]
[[Category:Britcar 24-hour drivers]]
[[Category:British motoring journalists]]
[[Category:English male journalists]]
[[Category:English television presenters]]
[[Category:Journalists from Bristol]]
[[Category:Journalists from London]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Hammersmith]]
[[Category:Television personalities from Bristol]]
[[Category:Television personalities from the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham]]
[[Category:The Daily Telegraph people]]
[[Category:Writers from the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham]]