James Daniel May (born January 16, 1963) is an English journalist and television personality. From 2003 to 2015, he was a co-presenter on the driving show Top Gear with Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond.
He was also a director of the production company W. Chump & Sons, which has since closed. He co-hosts the Amazon Prime Video television series The Grand Tour with former Top Gear co-hosts Clarkson and Hammond, as well as former Top Gear executive producer Andy Wilman.
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James May’s net worth
James May’s net worth is estimated to be $40 million, the majority of which came through his successful career.
James May’s source of income
May’s primary source of income is from his work in television, which includes presenting, producing, and writing. He has worked for the BBC, ITV, and Amazon Prime, among others.
In addition to his work in television, May has also written several books on topics ranging from cars and engineering to history and science. He has also contributed to various magazines and newspapers, including The Daily Telegraph, where he wrote a weekly column for many years.
May has also worked as a radio host and appeared in a number of advertising campaigns. He is also an avid collector of classic cars and has sold some of his collection at auction.
James May’s assets, cars, and house
House
May spend £770,000 for a 5-bedroom property in Ansty in 2015. He also purchased a home in Hammersmith for £325,000 in 2000 and an adjacent semi-derelict property for £310,000 in 2013. James demolished both houses and began building a £3.5 million “super home” in 2019.
Cars
May became a half-owner of The Royal Oak, a Swallowcliffe Wiltshire pub that has been in existence since the early 18th century, in 2020. After training at White Waltham Airfield, James received his light aircraft pilot’s license in 2006, and he has owned a Cessna A185E Skywagon, a Luscombe 8A ‘Silvaire,’ and an American Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon.
May is a luxury car collector who has owned a Bentley T2, a 2005 Saab 9-5 Aero, a Rolls-Royce Phantom, a Triumph 2000, an Alfa Romeo 164, a 1984 Porsche 911, a 2014 Ferrari 458 Speciale, a Porsche 911 Carerra S Facelift, a Ferrari F30, and a Fiat Panda.
James May’s net worth growth year-wise
The table below highlights James May’s net worth growth over the years.
| James May’s Net Worth in 2023 | $40 million |
| James May’s Net Worth in 2022 | $40 million |
| James May’s Net Worth in 2021 | $38 million |
| James May’s Net Worth in 2020 | $34 million |
| James May’s Net Worth in 2019 | Unknown |
James May Expenses
Any information about his personal expenses would likely be private and confidential.
James May’s biography family’s parents and spouse
James May was born on January 16, 1963, in Bristol, England. He has two sisters, Sarah and Katie.
James May’s father, James May Sr., was a vicar, and his mother, Amy May, was a nurse. They both passed away when he was in his early 20s.
James May is not married, and he has no children. Since 2000, he has been in a long-term relationship with his girlfriend, Sarah Frater. Sarah is a dance critic and writer for The Guardian newspaper. The couple lives together in West London.
James May Education
He spent his childhood in South Yorkshire, where he went to Oakwood Comprehensive School in Rotherham and sang in the choir at Whiston Parish Church.
May studied music at Pendle College, Lancaster University, where he learned to play the flute and piano, as well as metalwork at a technical college for a year. May work as a records officer at a hospital in Chelsea after graduation and briefly served in the civil service before pursuing journalism and television in his thirties.
James May Career
May begin his career as a journalist, writing for publications such as Autocar and Top Gear magazine. He then moved into television presenting, joining the “Top Gear” team in 2003 as one of the show’s presenters. He quickly became known for his dry wit, enthusiasm for engineering, and technical knowledge.
May co-presented “Top Gear” for 13 years, becoming one of the show’s most popular presenters. He also appeared on several other shows, including “James May’s Toy Stories” and “James May’s Cars of the People.”
In 2015, May, along with his former “Top Gear” co-presenters Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, signed a deal with Amazon Prime to create a new motoring show, “The Grand Tour.” The show premiered in 2016 and has since aired five seasons.
In addition to his television work, May has written several books, including “May on Motors” and “Oz and James’s Big Wine Adventure.” He has also presented radio programs and has been a guest on various talk shows.
May’s career has spanned over three decades, and he has become a popular figure in the UK and internationally, known for his dry wit, technical knowledge, and enthusiasm for all things automotive.
James May Awards and Recognition
Among his major prizes and recognitions are:
- Royal Television Society Award: For his efforts on “Top Gear,” James May received the RTS Television Award for Best Presenter in 2008.
- James May and his co-presenters on “Top Gear” won the National Television Award for Most Popular Factual Show in 2006.
- International Emmy Award: In 2007, “Top Gear” won the International Emmy Award for Non-Scripted Entertainment.
- BAFTA Television Award: James May has been nominated for multiple BAFTA Television Awards throughout his career, including nominations for Best Features in 2006 and 2007 for “Top Gear” and a nomination for Best Factual Series in 2018 for “James May: The Reassembler.”
James May and controversies
Here are some notable controversies involving James May:
Toy Stories Child Labor Controversy: In 2009, May faced criticism for an episode of his TV series “James May’s Toy Stories,” which featured children working in a Chinese toy factory. The episode was accused of glamorizing child labor and exploiting the children involved. May later defend the episode, stating that the purpose was to raise awareness of the
Top Gear” Argentina Controversy: In 2014, during the filming of a Top Gear special in Argentina, May and his co-hosts were accused of intentionally using a number plate on a car that appeared to reference the Falklands War of 1982. The incident caused outrage in Argentina, and the team had to leave the country quickly due to concerns for their safety.
Conclusion
James May is a multi-talented English journalist and television personality. He is a popular figure in the entertainment industry and has a huge fan base from around the world.
His witty observations, intelligence, and ability to find humor in everyday life make him an inspiring figure to many. He continues to bring laughter and joy to people with his appearances in the media, and he will continue to be a beloved figure for many years.