James May Questions The Future Of The Grand Tour: “We’re All Knocking On A Bit”
Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May have been presenting together since 2003. And now, almost 20 years later, they’re still together as they travel across the world for The Grand Tour. Often, a hint of danger accompanies their travels, and ahead of the release of Our Man In Italy, James May is weary of the fact he’s getting older.
In a recent interview with BT.com, May was asked a number of questions about the dynamic of the trio.
On being asked whether he enjoyed working by himself on his upcoming travel show, he seemed very enthusiastic about having a moment on his own:
“Yes. YES. We’re not very good on The Grand Tour of giving anything any gravitas,” May told BT.com. “Everything is boring or nerdy. So it’s quite nice to be on my own.
“But I can get a little too immersed in things and need moving on some times. If it had just been left to me, you would have just got six episodes of me making bagpipes.”
Grand Tour Nation recently followed The Grand Tour team as it traveled through central Europe from Poland to Slovenia. Driving 2,200km, this is one of the longest trips the ex-Top Gear presenters have planned, but while Jeremy has admitted that it will be around six months for the episode to be released to Prime Video, May doesn’t seem so confident.
Read more: The Grand Tour: Everything We Know About Upcoming Norway Special
In the last year, The Grand Tour has filmed two episodes – one in the Arctic Circle, and one in Europe. Either this interview happened before Europe, or May isn’t allowed to say anything about the most recent filming.
“More Grand Tours? We’ve filmed one.
“It will be coming out later this year, but they haven’t decided when yet. I’m not being secretive; they just haven’t decided. After that, we’ll just have to see.”
He continued, however, questioning the future of the show:
“We’re all knocking on a bit. At some point we’ll all be past it or one of us will die. But at the moment, it’s still working.”
Hopefully we’ll see the release of two episodes over the next 6 or 7 months, and Clarkson, Hammond, and May continue to do what they love, whether that’s The Grand Tour, or solo projects where they get to explore their own passions like Clarkson’s Farm or Our Man In Italy.
James May: Our Man in Italy is available on Prime Video from 15 July, and we’re looking forward to it.