JAMES May’s been part of the one of most successful presenting partnerships on British television alongside Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond since 2003.
The last episode of the trio’s Grand Tour has aired — here’s everything you need to know about Captain Slow.
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Who is James May and what is his background?
James Daniel May was born in Bristol on January 16, 1963.
He is a British presenter, writer, and journalist.
James is best known for hosting shows about motors with his pals and co-stars Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond.
The trio first hosted Top Gear together between 2002 and 2015, and then followed up with The Grand Tour from 2016 until 2024.
James was nicknamed “Captain Slow” by his co-hosts due to his careful driving style.
Speaking about calling time on the more daring aspects of his TV career, James told GB News: “I won’t really miss the stress of it because I’m old now and a bit frail compared with back then [when we started].”
“In the end, we got to the point where we said, ‘No, we must stop whilst we’re still vaguely ahead. We mustn’t keep going until we embarrass ourselves.
“I’ve always said if it ends tomorrow, which it nearly did at one point, that I should just be grateful that I had the opportunity.
“I could always have gone back to some sort of proper life and done something responsible and sensible.”
James injured himself multiple times throughout his presenting duties, including suffering a severe concussion, nearly drowning, breaking his arm and multiple ribs.
Shock moment James May crashes his car into a wall in The Grand Tour: A Scandi Flick
He is an ex-choirboy who loves classical music and plays the harpsichord.
James started his career as a sub-editor at The Engineer and later Autocar.
He was fired from the latter for playing a prank — writing a secret message in the magazine’s Road Test Year Book.
The task of writing the supplement was so boring, he hid the phrase “So you think it’s really good, yeah? You should try making the bloody thing up; it’s a real pain in the arse” in the text.
No, we must stop whilst we’re still vaguely ahead. We mustn’t keep going until we embarrass ourselves
James May
Autocar did not find it amusing when readers started calling in, thinking it was a competition, promptly sacking him.
James has also written regularly for Car Magazine and had a weekly column in the Daily Telegraph between 2003 and 2011.
He’s also written several motoring books and also co-authored Oz & James’ Big Wine Adventure, which accompanied a TV series of the same name.
James first appeared in a driving show on Channel 4‘s Driven in 1998, and also presented James May’s Top Toys for the BBC.
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What vehicles has James May owned?
Unsurprisingly the petrolhead has owned a great many cars, including:
- Saab 9-5 Aero
- Bentley T2
- Rolls Royce Phantom
- Triumph 2000
- Rover P6
- Alfa Romeo 164
- Rolls-Royce Corniche
- Jaguar XJS
- Range Rover Classic Vogue
- Fiat Panda
- Datsun 120Y
- Porsche 911 Carrera S
- Vauxhall Cavalier Mk1
- Ferrari F430
- Ferrari 458 Italia
- Porsche 911
- Porsche Boxster S
- BMW i3
- Ferrari 458 Speciale
James also owns and uses frequently a Brompton folding bicycle and a light aircraft, which he bought after obtaining his light aircraft pilot’s license in 2006.
Is James May married?
James lives in Hammersmith, West London with his partner of over two decades Sarah Frater.
They have been together since 2000 and don’t have any children.
Despite James’ fame, the couple maintains a relatively private life, with Sarah preferring to stay out of the public eye.
She is an English writer and art critic, and is also good friends with Richard Hammond’s wife Mindy.
