Biography for
James May (II) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

16 January 1963, Bristol, England, UK

Birth Name

James Daniel May

Nickname

Captain Slow

Height

5' 11½" (1.82 m)

Mini Biography

James Daniel May was born on 16 January 1963 in Bristol, England, UK. He is a journalist and television presenter who is best known as co-host of popular motoring program "Top Gear". He also writes a weekly column for "The Daily Telegraph" newspaper, as well as regular contributions to "Top Gear" magazine. James attended Oakwood Technology College (1975-1980) and studied music at Lancaster University (1981-1983). He began his journalism career as a sub-editor for "Autocar" and "The Engineer" magazines before his vast motoring knowledge landed him his current job as a television presenter. On "Top Gear" James is known as "Captain Slow" as he regularly finishes last in their high speed track races, as well as for his laconic presenting style. James currently lives in Hammersmith, London, with his cat, Fusker. He is unmarried and has no children.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Calliope

Trivia

He grew up near Sheffield in England.

He studied music at Lancaster University.

He is currently training for his light aircraft pilot's license.

He owns several cars including a Bentley T2, Fiat Panda, Jaguar XJS, Mini Cooper, Porsche Boxter S, Porsche 911 and a Range Rover.

He plays flute, piano and saxophone proficiently.

Personal Quotes

I like luxury. It's the new performance.

If you've got the brochure for the Hyundai Accent on your coffee table, can I implore you, please, not to do it. Buy a Fiesta, buy a second-hand Golf, go on holiday. Don't do it!

France is a country you have to drive through to get to Italy. That's all it's there for.

The reason, I think, that Porsche is the best car is, you know when you drive some cars, you get a sense that the car is smiling, when you're driving.

I am officially Captain Slow on the program. I can drive quite quickly around the track - I've done it a bit - but I think fast track driving is a little like playing the bagpipes. A gentleman can, but doesn't.

So now we have the world's lairiest car on the start of the world's most gruelling endurance race. At the wheel is the world's most plastered driver...

We are British. We are the inventors of everything. It's time to brace ourselves, hasten unto the shed and liberate ourselves from the abyss made dark by the lights of perverted German science!

When I was a boy and other boys were lying awake wondering how girls worked, I was lying awake thinking about the Triumph TR6. What's wrong with that?

I've had this thing nearly a week and nothing has fallen off and everything still works. I mean, who the hell do the Italians think they are, anyway? The Germans?

Where Are They Now

(September 2004) presenting a new series of Top Gear