James Daniel May (born 16 January 1963) is a British television presenter and award-winning journalist.

May is best known as co-presenter of the motoring programme Top Gear alongside Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond. He also writes a weekly column for The Daily Telegraph's motoring section. On Top Gear, his nickname is Captain Slow, owing to his 'careful' driving style. He has, however, carried out some exceptionally high-speed driving (including taking a Bugatti Veyron to its top speed (of 408km/h or 253.5mph) during an episode of Top Gear.


Early life

James May was born in Bristol, one of four children; he has two sisters and a brother. In early years James attended Caerleon Endowed Junior School in Newport, Monmouthshire. He spent his teenage years in South Yorkshire where he attended Oakwood Comprehensive School in Rotherham and was a choirboy at Whiston Parish Church. He was also at school with Life On Mars and Ashes to Ashes star Dean Andrews. A keen flautist and pianist, he later studied music at Lancaster University, where he was a member of Pendle College. After graduating, May briefly worked at a hospital in Chelsea as a records' officer, and had a brief stint in Her Majesty's Civil Service.


Personal life

May currently lives in Hammersmith, London with dance critic Sarah Frater, whom he has dated since 2000, and with his cat Fusker, who was a gift from Richard Hammond's wife, Mindy.

May has owned several cars, including a Bentley T2, Rover P6, 1971 Rolls-Royce Corniche, Jaguar XJS, Range Rover, Fiat Panda, Datsun 120Y, Porsche 911, Porsche Boxster S (which he claims is the first car he has ever purchased new) a Mini Cooper, a Citroen Ami and several classic motorcycles. He has a penchant for prestige cars like Rolls-Royces and Bentleys, simple and basic cars such as the Fiat Panda, and motorcycles. He often uses a Brompton folding bicycle for commuting. He passed his driving test on his second attempt, and justified this by saying "All the best people pass the second time".

May obtained a light aircraft pilot's licence in October 2006 having trained at White Waltham Airfield. Although he had not qualified for night flying at the time, he was still able to fly a Cessna 182 in a Top Gear challenge with Richard Hammond as a passenger. He owns a Luscombe 8A 'Silvaire' and an American Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon with the registration number G-OCOK, a play on "Oh, cock", his trademark phrase used on Top Gear. In July 2008, May announced on a radio show that he was selling the Luscombe.