James May Talks Oxford, Jeremy Clarkson, and His New Live Tour

From Top Gear to Center Stage

For more than two decades, James May has been a familiar face to millions of motoring fans around the world. As one-third of the iconic Top Gear and The Grand Tour trio, May — alongside Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond — has traveled the globe, raced the unthinkable, and entertained audiences with his trademark mix of intellect and quiet humor.

Now, at 62, May is embarking on a different kind of journey — this time, one that takes place on a theater stage rather than behind the wheel. His new solo show, “Explorers: The Age of Discovery Tour,” is set to arrive at the New Theatre in Oxford next week.

“It’s Just Me — for Two Hours!”

Speaking to The Oxford Mail ahead of his visit, May reflected on the thrill and challenge of performing alone.

“The tour is going very well, I think,” he said. “It’s very stimulating doing a live show as I’ve never really done it before — not by myself, anyway.”

He compared the experience to Top Gear Live, the arena version of the beloved show, but noted that this time it’s a far more personal performance.

“Obviously, we used to do Top Gear Live, but that was slightly different — there were three of us and all sorts of other elements like stunt drivers and trick cyclists. Whereas this is just me for two hours. It’s a bit more challenging, but also quite stimulating.”

May added that performing live brings a special kind of energy.

“I like performing live because it’s in the moment — you feel the love or the hate immediately,” he said with a laugh. “We’ve had some good reviews so far. There are a few light laughs in it, but it’s not a comedy show — and I’m not a comedian! The jokes are poor!”

Celebrating the Great Explorers

In Explorers: The Age of Discovery Tour, May dives into the world of history’s great adventurers, mixing curiosity, storytelling, and science in his trademark “thoughtful but funny” way. One figure, however, stands out above the rest — Captain James Cook.

“He’s in the show quite a bit,” May said. “I proclaim him as one of my favourites. I admire Cook because he was driven by a kind of nerdiness — he was obsessed with charts, navigation, and precision. But he was also self-aware. His diaries show he thought carefully about the impact of what he did.”

May contrasted Cook’s reflective nature with the more ruthless approach of other explorers.

“If you look at Columbus, for example — he was a bit of a b*****d, really,” May quipped. “Cook, on the other hand, was conscious of the long-term effects of his actions. In the end, it was Cook’s voyages that completed Europe’s view of the world. His first voyage was one of the most significant in history.”

Oxford Connections

May has fond memories of Oxford, a city he’s visited many times over the years.

“I’ve got mates who live around Oxford, and others who went to the university hundreds of years ago,” he joked. “So I’ve been there fairly regularly.”

He encouraged locals to come see the show:

“People should come along because it’s brilliant — and there’s an interval, so you can have a drink. It’s quite a relaxing evening, and unless you’re an expert on exploration, there’ll be a few surprises you might not know.”

On Friendship — and Friendly Bans

Of course, no conversation with James May would be complete without a mention of his longtime co-star and friend Jeremy Clarkson, who lives just a short drive away in Oxfordshire. Clarkson owns Diddly Squat Farm and The Farmer’s Dog, a pub he opened in 2024.

When asked whether Clarkson might show up to May’s Oxford show, May laughed:

“I wouldn’t have thought so. If he did want to come, I’d imagine he’d ask me for a free ticket — and he hasn’t, as far as I know.”

The two presenters have been known for their playful rivalry — something that extends even to their pubs. May co-owns The Royal Oak in Swallowcliffe, Wiltshire, while Clarkson’s establishment made headlines when he jokingly banned both May and Hammond (along with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer) shortly after opening.

“I’m still technically barred,” May laughed. “I think Jeremy doesn’t realize I have my own pub, so if I get any spare time, I tend to go there instead.”

“No One’s Barred From My Pub”

Unlike Clarkson, May says his pub has an open-door policy.

“No, nobody’s barred from my pub yet,” he said. “I’ve always thought of pubs as great levellers. Everybody can go, and everyone’s sort of equal once they’re inside. I mean, we’d probably bar hooligans if they showed up — but that sort of thing doesn’t happen much in South Wiltshire. The Civil War’s long over; we’re peaceful these days.”

The Next Chapter

As for what comes next, May seems content following his curiosity — whether it’s about cars, cookery (Oh Cook!), or history. Explorers: The Age of Discovery Tour marks yet another unexpected turn in a career full of them.

“It’s nice doing something different,” he said. “This show is about the human urge to explore — whether it’s the ocean, space, or just understanding how things work. I suppose that’s what I’ve always been doing, in one way or another.”

With a thoughtful grin and a pint never too far away, James May continues his lifelong adventure — one story, one laugh, and one discovery at a time.