James May’s Top Gear co-stars, Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, have both married and started families during their TV careers. However, the petrol head chose not to take that route, and his decision stems from a surprising reason.
The James May’s Great Explorers star, 62, has been in a long-term relationship with art critic Sarah Frater since 2000, but they have never married.
Reflecting on his personal life, May explained on the Driven podcast: “I think it was just a result of life, let’s put that down to being a late developer. I’ve got nieces and nephews of many ages.”
Content with his role as an uncle, The Grand Tour star shared that he didn’t want to be an older father raising young children, believing it would be “unfair” and “weird.”
He recalled a schoolmate whose father was the same age as his grandfather, which left him feeling uncomfortable.
"Maybe 'unfair' was a bit strong. But when I was at school there was a boy whose dad was the same age as my granddad and it felt weird," he said in interview with The Times. May also referenced actor Al Pacino’s relationship with Noor Alfallah, who is 54 younger than him, as an example.
“And that actor who recently had a child with a much younger woman? He’s not going to be around very much, is he? Then again, you can be young and still not be around much, so who knows?”
The TV star joked that he enjoys passing on his skills to his nieces and nephews, saying, “I have a ready audience of nieces and nephews. But listen, if anyone wants their child to learn how to fix a puncture, send them to me.”
James and Sarah live in a £3 million home in Hammersmith, London, which they built from the ground up after demolishing the original property. They also have a second home in Wiltshire where they can enjoy a quieter lifestyle away from the city.
Reasons behind his decision not to marry come after May revealed The Grand Tour ended because they had “exhausted” the show and didn’t want to “overstay their welcome”.
May, along with Clarkson and Hammond, found fame on BBC’s Top Gear before the trio moved to Amazon Prime with The Grand Tour in 2016.
Despite earning rave reviews for six seasons, the motoring show ended last summer with its special final episode, One For The Road.
May was asked why he and his co-stars wrapped up the show despite it being so beloved by fans, during an appearance on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch.
“I just couldn't stand them!" the presenter, 62, initially joked.
He then explained: “We always said, between us, that we would end it with some race, hopefully, rather than fly into the White Cliffs of Dover, desperately trying to keep it along - and I think we just about managed that.”
May added: "We’d exhausted the subject, we are getting on a bit. I believe it’s time for a new generation to find a new take - I don’t know what it is.”
When asked by host Simon Rimmer if the decision felt right, he said: "Yes, I think so. You can’t overstay your welcome.
“You’re supposed to leave the audience wanting more. It’s the rule of show business."
