Former Top Gear host James May has expressed his displeasure with fans, whom he refers to as the “car show-erati,” urging him and his former co-presenters to return to the show following Andrew Flintoff’s recent crash. May criticized these enthusiasts on a BBC podcast, highlighting his irritation with their eagerness to turn the accident into an opportunity for the former hosts to make a comeback.
In the podcast, scheduled for full release tomorrow, May acknowledged Flintoff’s severe injuries and emphasized the importance of expressing empathy rather than exploiting the situation for partisan sentiments. The BBC recently announced the temporary suspension of Top Gear in the wake of Flintoff’s crash, which resulted in substantial injuries and a £9 million ($11.3 million) payout from BBC Studios, along with a health and safety review.
James May (Credits: Getty Images)
May, along with his co-presenters, departed Top Gear in 2016 amid controversy surrounding Jeremy Clarkson’s alleged assault of a producer. Subsequently, they embarked on a new venture with Amazon Prime Video’s The Grand Tour, which shifted its focus towards travel from its fourth season onwards.
In addressing the potential return of Top Gear, May suggested that the show requires a reevaluation of its format. He noted that since their departure, Top Gear has maintained a similar structure, and he proposed exploring alternative approaches to address evolving questions about cars. May emphasized the need for a fresh perspective and hinted at the possibility of a more journalistic and philosophically inclined format for the show, differentiating it from the adventuresome style of The Grand Tour.
