James May hints at a possible upcoming venture involving Richard Hammond and Jeremy Clarkson

 

James May has hinted at the prospect of collaborating on a fresh project with his former Top Gear colleagues amidst reports of their anticipated separation post their tenure on The Grand Tour.

The 60-year-old had a prolific 20-year partnership alongside Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, commencing with their joint presentation on the BBC’s Top Gear in 2003. Their camaraderie extended beyond as they collaborated on various subsequent shows.

Following Clarkson’s departure from the BBC due to an altercation with a producer, May and Hammond joined him, bidding farewell to Top Gear. Subsequently, the trio was enlisted for a new Amazon Prime show in 2016 – The Grand Tour.

However, during an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Wednesday (December 27), James disclosed that they had wrapped up the show. According to May, the trio, known for their enthusiasm for cars, had “completed the last [episode], for now,” playfully noting his newfound “technically unemployed” status.

He also admitted that he and his fellow co-stars still keep in touch regularly. He hinted at the possibility of working together again in the future but acknowledged that they were all “getting on a bit”.

During a conversation with Today host Justin Webb, James mentioned that the trio decided to gracefully conclude their working relationship “without crashing into a cliff”.

“We’ve wrapped up two episodes of the Grand Tour, one’s due out soon, and another will follow after. What unfolds between now and then remains to be seen,” he added. “I suppose technically I’m jobless now – I can almost hear the cheers echoing across the country.”

When questioned about the potential conclusion of his media career, James remarked that their decision to depart from the show, coupled with the cancellation of Top Gear, signalled the opportune moment for a fresh programme to step in. May acknowledged that there’s a wealth of new material to explore, including the evolution of self-driving cars and the shifting perceptions around driving.

The trio formally announced their departure from The Grand Tour earlier in May. This revelation surprised fans, as the streaming platform Amazon Prime Video confirmed the show would continue sans the original hosts—despite their reluctance to endorse the recruitment of new presenters.

Fortunately, just before Jeremy, Richard, and James bid their goodbyes, two additional specials are lined up for airing in the upcoming year. In one episode, the trio will navigate the desert landscapes of Mauritania, while in another, they’ll traverse the savannah plains of Zimbabwe.

You can catch The Grand Tour by streaming it on Prime Video.