James May, 62, delights fans as he announces huge career move away from TV ahead of Clarkson and Hammond new show
James May has been inundated with excitable messages from his fanbase after sharing some “fantastic” news about a new work project.
Best known for his roles in The Grand Tour and Top Gear alongside Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, May has built up quite a fanbase over the years.
And he’s enjoyed success without his co-hosts’ help too, launching his own cookery show and his famous Our Man In… travel series.
But this time around, May’s leaving the rigmaroles of a TV set behind him as he’s unveiled his very own stage show.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Jeremy Clarkson, 64, issues brilliant five-word slapdown after facing farm ownership criticismJames May, 62, applauded by fans as he lays into Heathrow closure chaos with ‘brilliant’ swipeJames May shut down by Top Gear co-star Richard Hammond as they revisit site: ‘Won’t talk about’
Much like Only Fools legend Sir David Jason, 85, in recent weeks, May has decided to hit the stage to deliver his expertise to theatregoers.
However, unlike the aforementioned Jason, May won’t be sharing his life story but will instead be delving into the history and stories of some of humankind’s most renowned explorers and travellers.
Fans of his Channel 5 show James May’s Great Explorers will know all too well the 62-year-old’s fondness for diving headfirst into the stories behind these well-known figures.
Announcing the news on X, May penned alongside a poster of the tour: “I’m doing a live show, starting in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. There are a lot of words to learn.”
Inevitably, fans flocked to the comments section of the post to express their excitement, including one who wrote: “Great News! More James May content.”
“His shows are great,” a second echoed. “I love his travels around Japan and Italy. I look forward to more shows. His entire filming team is great, I keep my fingers crossed for everyone and wish them good luck.”
“Fascinating! Best of success with the words. Use monosyllabic ones? Cheers,” a third joked before a fourth simply put: “I look forward to this Sir, b****y fantastic.” (sic)
According to the tour’s official site, May’s show will see him “bring to life the stories of the extraordinary explorers who traversed the deserts, scaled the mountains, (and) sailed into the unknown”.
Fans can also expect the live show to combine “theatrical techniques and May’s charismatic storytelling to create an evening of compelling intellectual entertainment”.
Outlining the tour’s contents, the synopsis adds: “Live on stage, James May will unravel the breathtaking tales of humankind from the earliest wanderings of ancient hunter-gatherers to the intrepid, often obsessive explorers.
“Among them Lief Ericson, John Cabot, James Cook’s navigator Tupaia, Stanley and Livingstone, Gertrude Bell, through to the moon walkers, space exploration and the seemingly impossible challenges of interplanetary and intergalactic travel.”
The announcement comes just weeks before he’ll be back on Amazon Prime Video alongside Clarkson and Hammond in a special Grand Tour-esque show.
I’m doing a live show, starting in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. There are a lot of words to learn.https://t.co/chLNzVZQyE pic.twitter.com/RHxcFk3okp
— James May (@MrJamesMay) March 26, 2025
Last month, it was announced that The Not Very Grand Tour would arrive on the streaming platform soon, but details were scarce as to what the show would entail.
The special will see May reunite with former Top Gear and The Grand Tour director Phil Churchward for the project.
However, in somewhat of a blow, Radio Times has reported that Clarkson will only feature in the special feature through archive footage.
The Not Very Grand Tour is set to air on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, April 18.