James May admits to still suffering from painful side effects three years on from near-fatal crash
Former Top Gear star James May is still suffering from health issues three years after his near-fatal car crash whilst filming The Grand Tour.
The broadcaster recently shared with followers that he’s experiencing concerning neck problems as a lingering effect of the 2022 accident.
May took to social media to describe his discomfort, revealing that his years on the road appear to have taken a physical toll that continues to affect him, prompting concern from fans.
He described his symptoms in vivid terms, writing: “When I move my head around, my neck feels and sounds as if cornflakes have been inserted between the vertebrae. Should I worry about this or just have a gin?”
The presenter quickly answered his own question before fans could respond, joking: “Tbh I’m already having the gin.”
His light-hearted approach to the ongoing health issue has resonated with followers, many of whom offered both serious advice and humorous support.
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Concerned fans quickly responded to May’s post, with one sharing their own experience: “I get that too, because I broke my C2 twenty-five years ago in a car crash and nearly died so I figure the odd cornflake-sound is a fair swap.”
Another suggested: “Find a good chiropractor/physical therapist who’ll help stretch out your vertebrae and give you exercises to decompress your spine and neck.” (sic)
Some recommended strengthening neck muscles through targeted exercises.
Others took a more humorous approach, encouraging May to simply continue drinking gin until the grinding sound disappears.
May’s original accident occurred in 2022 while filming The Grand Tour, when he crashed into a wall at 75mph, with the collision being so severe that his co-star Richard Hammond feared May had died.
Jeremy Clarkson was also terrified by the incident before paramedics rushed May to hospital for brain scans and X-rays.
Remarkably, the tests revealed he had only broken one rib, though May initially feared he had injured his neck vertebrae.
As his current symptoms suggest, there may have been undetected damage to his neck after all.
After researching his symptoms, one follower provided May with a medical explanation, noting: “The crunching sound and sensation in your neck when you move it — often described as feeling like cornflakes or gravel — [is] likely crepitus.”
They explained this is “the noise made by air bubbles collapsing in the synovial fluid within your joints.”
Another fan suggested reducing alcohol consumption might help with the condition.
“I stopped drinking for a few months to see what happens, and was able to observe a mild improvement in terms of joint health,” they advised.