James May has spoken candidly about his relationships with Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, revealing that while they were his workmates, they "were significant in my life".
May, Hammond and Clarkson spent 22 years working together, first on Top Gear and then on The Grand Tour. Their on-screen dynamic, built on banter, rivalry and plenty of winding each other up, led many viewers to wonder whether the three genuinely got along behind the scenes.
Different personalities, mutual respect
Speaking to the Daily Mail, May addressed the question head-on. He admitted they were very different people and would probably have been in rival gangs at school, adding "there would have been a healthy respect for each other, but we wouldn't have fitted in each other's gangs".
May acknowledged the three do socialise away from the cameras, and noted that he was "pleased Clarkson's Farm was doing well" - a characteristically understated show of support for his long-time colleague.
A 22-year partnership
Their professional partnership began when May joined Top Gear in 2003, a year after Clarkson and Hammond had already established themselves on the show. It came to an end in 2024 with the final Grand Tour special, One for the Road, drawing the curtain on their time together as a trio.
Clarkson has also previously opened up about his bond with his co-stars, telling GB News: "Listen, when we do these things, it is a laugh from start to finish. We know what we're doing and we do enjoy one another's company. Otherwise, we wouldn't have been doing it for 25 years."
Reunion and rivalry
The trio are now expected to make a cameo appearance in the upcoming revamped series of The Grand Tour, which has been relaunched with three entirely new presenters.
Away from the cameras, there has been some healthy competition between May and Clarkson, who both have investments in pubs. May co-owns The Royal Oak, a pub in Swallowcliffe, near Salisbury in Wiltshire, having joined as a partner in 2020. The inn, which dates back to 1852, recently claimed the title of Best Local Pub in Wiltshire at the 2026 Muddy Stilettos Awards - pipping Jeremy Clarkson's own venue, The Farmer's Dog, to an accolade.
The Grand Tour returns to Prime Video on September 4.
