Jeremy Clarkson, 64, slams ‘senile’ James May after co-host slapped down ‘reunion’ speculation
Jeremy Clarkson has issued a cheeky put down to his former Top Gear and Grand Tour co-host James May.
The 64-year-old broadcaster and writer took exception to May’s assurance that the upcoming Grand Tour retrospective was “not a reunion”.
“Well, I’m afraid it’s not a reunion,” May said.
The Not Very Grand Tour is essentially a best-of compilation hosted from the studio by me and Richard Hammond.
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“Jeremy Clarkson wasn’t available for some reason, but we’re all in the clips. It’s all things you’ve seen before, but chopped up in a different way,” he continued.
May concluded: “We recorded it a while back. I can’t remember why he couldn’t be there. He was probably busy.”
Clarkson was not best pleased with the comments and took to X to vent his frustrations.
Linking to the original piece, the 64-year-old wrote: “I fear the poor old dear has become senile. Because while he can’t remember me being there, I can.”
Clarkson later clarified: “To be clear, there are some ‘best ofs’ coming. Zimbabwe was the last one. I have far too many cows now to go swanning off.”
His comment appeared to correspond with May’s observations that the trio were well and truly done with the old format of shows.
May recently further reflected on his time with Clarkson and Richard Hammond while chatting with ABC News Breakfast.
“I did spend 20 years of my life, a third of my existence working with those two idiots,” he humoured.
However, May had some disappointing words for fans who have been hoping for return of the trio after they concluded the Grand Tour last year.
“Yes, we have disbanded. There isn’t going to be a reunion. We’re not like Led Zeppelin or anything like that. In many ways, we’re not like Led Zeppelin,” May began.
The 62-year-old reflected on the “emotional” nature of the exit.
“I suppose; I’ve been in that job longer than I’ve been in any other job by a long, long way.
“Whether I like it or not those two are significant in my life. It’s a cliche to say the end of an era but it was,” he said.
Throwing further cold water on a comeback, May continued: “I also think it was time to stop because we always said we would land it with dignity, not fly it into the cliffs. We have come close a few times so it was probably the right time to stop.
“We are getting on a bit and our view of the subject is becoming a bit dated, it is time for the younger generation to re-evaluate it and think of new ways to talk about things like cars and transport generally.”
“I don’t know how exactly but there must be somebody out there,” he concluded.