James May blasts BBC for axing Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear

In 2015, a significant incident occurred on the set of Top Gear, a popular show in the United Kingdom. Jeremy Clarkson was involved in an altercation with producer Oisin Tymon, which resulted in Clarkson allegedly punching Tymon. This incident prompted an investigation by the BBC, leading to Clarkson's dismissal from the show. In solidarity, James May and Richard Hammond, Clarkson's co-hosts, chose not to sign new contracts, effectively ending their participation in what was one of the most successfully formatted television shows. May later expressed his belief that the show’s conclusion was unfortunate, emphasizing that the fight did not necessarily warrant the end of their time on Top Gear. He mentioned that the pressures of being in the spotlight and the high-stress environment could have contributed to the altercation but suggested that the situation could have been resolved rather than resulting in the collapse of a popular program. Following the incident, May and Hammond moved on to create The Grand Tour for Amazon Prime Video. Reflecting on their experience, May stated that they had given the car show format a vigorous attempt and believed it was time for a new generation to take the reins. He also noted that the intensity of working on such a prominent show could lead to occasional conflicts, reaffirming that they had been at the helm of Top Gear for a decade, highlighting its long-standing impact on television. May has since transitioned to other projects, including a new series on Channel 5 titled James May’s Great Explorers.