James May has said there has “never been a better time for a car show” after the pausing of Top Gear, as he hinted he is open to a new programme with Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond.
The BBC has said the hit motoring series Top Gear will be off air for the “foreseeable future” following a crash that seriously injured host Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff.
Clarkson, Hammond and May are due to leave Amazon Prime Video series The Grand Tour after a “final special” airs next year.
"Yes. No… I wouldn't rule it out."
After filming their final episode of The Grand Tour, @JustinOnWeb asks guest editor @MrJamesMay whether he wants to be reunited with Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond on another project.#R4Today
— BBC Radio 4 Today (@BBCr4today) December 27, 2023
May told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I do think that despite us obviously coming to the end of our time doing this and the cancellation of Top Gear, there has never been a better time (for a car show).
“Things like the future of autonomous cars, new means of powering cars, a change of general attitudes towards cars and driving, there’s never been a better time for a car show. And the car show itself requires reinvention.”
Discussing the end of The Grand Tour, May said: “We have filmed the last one for now.
“I suppose that makes me technically unemployed. I can hear the cheers rolling around the country.
In his final interview as guest editor, @MrJamesMay says autonomous cars are trying to replicate 'the wit of humanity', which is why it's such a complex topic.#R4Today
— BBC Radio 4 Today (@BBCr4today) December 27, 2023
“We’ve got two in the bag, though. So there’s one coming up very soon. I’m not sure what I’m allowed to say here. And then another one coming out a bit after that. But what happens between now and then we’ll have to see.”
Asked if the trio could be reunited on another project, he said: “I can’t reveal that. Because the brutal truth is, I don’t know yet. But I do still speak to them.
“It depends what it was. Yes. No… I wouldn’t rule it out, but you do have to bear in mind that we’re all getting on a bit.
“And we have been doing it for 20 years plus, and I don’t think any of us ever thought it would last that long.”
Asked if it was part of the conversation to let others take over, he said: “It’s always been part of our conversation, how we landed with grace, rather than fly it into a cliff.”
May has previously said he believes Top Gear needs a “rethink” before it returns to the BBC.
Production on the show has been halted since host Flintoff, 45, was taken to hospital in December 2022.
The former England cricket captain was badly hurt in an accident at the Top Gear test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey.
Clarkson announced the end of The Grand Tour in November
In an Instagram post, Clarkson confirmed that the show was “no more” after next year.
The trio, who starred on Top Gear together for a decade, were snapped up by Amazon’s streaming service in 2015 and have made five series for the company, along with various special episodes.