Photo: Ignitedfirestarter · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Born in United Kingdom · Nationality British — culture / media / television / press / motoring

James May

Media and journalism Film, television and entertainment

Documented profile covering 7 controversies, including “1992: Dismissed from Autocar after hiding an insulting acrostic in the Road Test Yearbook” and “2007–2008: Drinking alcohol while driving in the Polar Special — BBC Trust criticism”.

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Profile No. 2114 · Updated on 12 October 2026

7Documented controversies

13Sources

0Formal charge · all time

0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

March–September 2022

2022: High-speed collision in Norwegian tunnel while filming The Grand Tour

Civil / administrative proceedings

While filming The Grand Tour in Norway, May takes part in a speed challenge in a tunnel, brakes too late and crashes into a wall while driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. He is hospitalised and suffers, among other injuries, a broken rib.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
Road & TrackWatch the Evo Crash That Sent James May to the HospitalPressHigh reliability
[2]
The DriveWatch James May Smash a Mitsubishi Evo Into a Tunnel WallPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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October 2014

2014: Filming in Argentina — May among crew forced to leave following controversy over Clarkson's Falklands number plate

No legal proceedings

James May is part of the Top Gear crew that has to leave Argentina under escort after the H982 FKL number plate on Clarkson's Porsche is interpreted as a provocation concerning the Falklands War.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Shared responsibility

Sources · 2

[1]
The GuardianTop Gear team forced to flee ArgentinaPressHigh reliability
[2]
The GuardianJames May: 'It works because we hate each other'PressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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January–April 2011

2011: Anti-Mexican segment — May compares Mexican food to "sick with cheese on it"

No legal proceedings

In the Top Gear segment that prompts a complaint from the Mexican embassy, James May disparages Mexican food, notably comparing it to vomit covered in cheese.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
OfcomOfcom Broadcast Bulletin 179 — Top Gear MexicoRegulatory authorityVery high reliability
[2]
The GuardianTop Gear cleared over anti-Mexican commentsPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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August 2011

2011: Use of disabled parking spaces with Clarkson — production apology

No legal proceedings

May and Clarkson are shown using spaces reserved for disabled people in a Top Gear segment, prompting criticism of the message conveyed by the programme.

State of the evidence: Documented

Sources · 1

[1]
The GuardianTop Gear apologises over disabled parking rowPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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December 2010

2010: Towing accident in Syria — concussion during filming

No legal proceedings

While filming a Top Gear special in Syria, May is thrown to the ground by a towing strap or cable and suffers a concussion and injuries requiring hospital treatment.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
Sky NewsJames May injured filming Top Gear stuntPressHigh reliability
[2]
The IndependentTop Gear's May injured in accidentPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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July 2007–July 2008

2007–2008: Drinking alcohol while driving in the Polar Special — BBC Trust criticism

No legal proceedings

In the Top Gear Polar Special, May and Clarkson are shown drinking alcohol while driving in the Arctic. The BBC Trust considers that the scene could trivialise drink-driving.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
The GuardianTop Gear drinking scene criticised by BBC TrustPressHigh reliability
[2]
The GuardianTop Gear drinking scene broke BBC rulesPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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1992

1992: Dismissed from Autocar after hiding an insulting acrostic in the Road Test Yearbook

Civil / administrative proceedings

While working for Autocar, James May rearranges the initial letters of entries in a Road Test Yearbook supplement to form an insulting message aimed at management. The trick is discovered and he loses his job.

State of the evidence: Admitted by the person
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
The IndependentThe mild one: how James May became an in-demand presenterPressHigh reliability
[2]
The IndependentMy Secret Life: James May, TV presenter, age 45PressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
Line width: number of documented references
Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (1)

Jeremy Clarkson3 documented references

III. Has something changed?

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