James May's Biography

James May was born in Bristol on 16 January 1963, the son of a priest.

He attended Oakwood comprehensive school in Rotherham.

James May studied music at Lancaster, but after finishing his degree took up a couple of odd jobs before becoming a sub-editor on The Engineer.

James May then worked on various motoring magazines including having a column in Car Magazine before appearing on Channel 4's motoring show 'Driven'.

He then moved to Top Gear, which he co-hosts with Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond.

James May has amassed other significant TV credits.

In 2006, along with wine expert Oz Clarke, James May co-hosted Oz & James Big Wine Adventure, a six-part BBC series.

In 2007, James May's 20th Century was broadcast on BBC Two, where he gets to grips with the innovations that changed the 20th Century.

As well as writing for Top Gear magazine, James May has written regularly for The Daily Telegraph.

James May's enthusiasm for music is reflected by his appearance on Private Passions.

In 2016, he hosted James May's Cars of the People on BBC2.

In November 2016, The Grand Tour featuring the old Top Gear team Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May started streaming on Amazon Prime.

The BBC announced that in January 2017, James May would present a four-part series for BBC Four, The Reassembler.

In 2023, Amazon announced that the new series of The Grand Tour would launch on 16 June with James May, Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond.