James May
James Daniel May (born 16 January 1963) is an English television presenter, journalist and writer. May is best known as co-presenter of the motoring programme Top Gear alongside Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond. May has presented a variety of other programmes on themes including science and technology, childhood toys, cars, food and drink, and the plight of manliness in modern times. In addition he has released a variety of DVDs and books with similar themes, and writes a weekly column for The Daily Telegraph's motoring section. On Top Gear, May has the nickname "Captain Slow", for his careful driving style, a love of small, underpowered cars and habit of getting lost and distracted whilst driving. In a February 2007 episode of Top Gear he carried out a successful top speed test drive of a Bugatti Veyron at the Ehra-Lessien Volkswagen test track, reaching 407 kilometres per hour (253 mph). In July 2010 he repeated the attempt in the updated Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, reaching the vehicle's top speed of 417.6 kilometres per hour (259.5 mph), confirming that it had retaken the title as the fastest road car in production.
Filmography (93 titles)
7.3ShowThe Grand-ish Tour
Self · 2026
6.6ShowJames May's Shed Load of Ideas
2025
6.9ShowThe Not Very Grand Tour
Self · 2025
7.8ShowJames May's Great Explorers
James May · 2025
7.0ShowJames May and the Dull Men
Self - Host · 2024
MovieJoan Rivers at the BBC
Self (archive footage) · 2024
7.0ShowPerfect Pub Walks
Self · 2024
9.0MovieTop Gear: A Tribute to Sabine Schmitz
Self · 2021
6.6ShowJames May: Oh Cook!
Self · 2020
7.5ShowJames May: Our Man in…
Self · 2020
8.0MovieTop Gear - Planes, Trains and Automobiles
2019
8.0ShowAl Murray's Great British Pub Quiz
Team Captain · 2019
7.5ShowJames May's Big Trouble in Model Britain
Self - Presenter · 2019
8.5MovieTop Gear: Winter Blunderland
2018
8.8MovieTop Gear: The Best of the Specials
James May · 2017
8.0ShowThe Grand Tour
Self - Host · 2016
7.3ShowJames May: The Reassembler
Presenter · 2016
ShowJames May's Build a Car in 24 Hours
Host · 2016
ShowTop Gear: The Races
Self · 2016
MovieTop Gear: From A-Z
Self (archive footage) · 2015
ShowTop Gear From A-Z
Self · 2015
6.7ShowTop Gear: Ambitious But Rubbish
2015
8.0MovieJames May's Cars of the People
2015
8.5MovieTop Gear: The Big Send Off Special
2015
8.0MovieTop Gear: Greatest Hits
Himself · 2015
10.0MovieTop Gear: Australian Road Trip
Himself · 2015
8.7MovieTop Gear: Patagonia Special
2014
7.8ShowJames May's Cars of the People
Self - Presenter · 2014
8.5MovieTop Gear: The Burma Special
Himself · 2014
International Buffoons' Vacation
2014