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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Lisa McLoughlin

Grand Tour star James May forced to axe his own series after becoming too successful

James May has fallen victim to his own success as it has been reported that he has had to cancel his TV show.

Oh Cook!—a play on his famous catchphrase "Oh c**k"—was built around the 61-year-old receiving cooking lessons, as he was notoriously inept in the kitchen.

However, after two successful seasons on Prime Video and a best-selling cookbook, it appears May has had to hang up his apron because he’s acquired some skill in the kitchen.

A source told The Sun: “It was a totally fresh concept that viewers lapped up, as usually cooking series are presented by professional chefs.

“But after two seasons, James is now quite a good cook, so it’s not a gag he can continue to flog.”

May released a cookbook of the same name (Pavilion Books)

The first series saw the former Top Gear star mastering the basics of a specific cuisine or meal, while viewers watched May raising the stakes by tackling French classics, vegan dishes, and preparing food for a 70s-themed dinner party in the second installment.

The Standard has contacted James May and Prime Video for comment.

Although he may be retiring his chef's hat on TV, his journey with Prime Video is far from over.

May will continue to explore the world with the streaming service in the travel series, James May: Our Man In..., immersing himself in the local cultures of Japan, Italy, and India.

Towards the end of year, he will be reuniting with his The Grand Tour pals Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond for their final season.

The fifth series, which sees them in Zimbabwe, will be their last but the trio, who’ve worked together since 2002, have teased that it’s not the last time they could be back together.

May previously said: “I wouldn’t rule it out. But you do have to bear in mind that we’re all getting on a bit.”

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