IamA James May AMA!

Would you rather fight 100 duck sized Jeremy Clarkson's or 1 horse sized Richard Hammond?

The Clarksons.

What would you recommend to buy as a first car?

I think the Ferrari 488 GTB is rather excellent

Hello James, are you going to continue your career as a Youtube chef?

Difficult, I've already cooked everything I can do.

Are we allowed to ask when your new show with the other 2 fellas is coming out?

The Autumn, or fall if you're in the US. That's as specific as I can be.

Where do you get your fashion inspiration from?

Mainly from my wardrobe. It's restocked by pixies in my absence.

Hi James! I appeared on your show 'James May's Toy Stories' in the Airfix episode back in 2009 when I was still at secondary school, and I was the boy that didn't want to blow up his Airfix tank and that you said 'Would go far'. That comment always meant a huge amount to me, and still does. I'm currently studying for a Masters degree in Engineering at Oxford, so I could end up building a real plane someday, depending on how I specialise, although I haven't built much Airfix since the show! My question is, what in your opinion is the most impressive feat of modern day engineering?

Well, there you go. I was right. I think the 1959 Suffolk Colt lawnmower is pretty hard to beat.

James- Any chance we'll see more Man Lab? The theme song still randomly gets lodged into my brain and I'm not sure how else to get it out.

I'd like to do that one day. I have the theme tune as a ring tone. Really bloody annoying, isn't it?

Are you having more freedom to do stuff at the new show than at top gear?

We were always pretty free to do what we liked, to be honest.

How happy are you that the phrase "Oh, cock" has entered the lexicon?

I think it's the only thing, if any, that will be remembered about me. I should have thought of something better.

I work a couple of units across the car park from you, would you like a coffee?

Yeah. Bring it over.

How tired of being asked about Jeremy Clarkson are you?

Are Dacias really your favourite cars?

Very, possibly.

Any chance of doing another Oz and James series or something similar?

I don't know if he's still alive. I'll check and get back to you.

Hi James! Huge fan of all your shows, especially Cars of The People - that was great.

I know you play the piano so I've always wanted to ask you what your favourite genre of piano music is? And your favourite composer? Thanks!

Difficult, I like counterpoint and Bach, but also impressionism.

If you had to bottle Jeremy Clarkson's smell, how would you describe it?

Disgusting.

What items will you be reassembling?

Petrol lawn mower, old telephone, electric guitar.

What are your fondest memories of Lancaster Uni, or more importantly Pendle College?

EDIT : Hi Overheard @ Lancs

The constant and uninterrupted sunshine of Lancashire. No, hang on...

James! Were you ever the stig, actually?

Some say I was.

Did you ever get to properly work a Dacia Sandero, and if so, what was your final opinion of it? It seems like a perfectly reasonable vehicle.

It's a lot better than you'd think, and I like an underdog.

What is your relationship with Clarkson and the Hamster like outside of the show?

Don't know. Never met them.

Great to have you!

What's the thing we can best look forward to in the new show?

Also, bring back the James May cooking channel!

The really great thing about the new show is that I'm in it.

Will you make more videos on Unemployment Tube?

Next time I'm fired, yes.

What're you most looking forward to in the future of automobiles?

A chauffeur.

If you had to spend the rest of your life living with Clarkson or Hammond, which one would it be and why?

Hammond. He takes up less space, so the house would seem bigger.

Do you ever wake up in the morning and think: how did I get here (in this job)?

Yes, especially when 'here' is a skip or a ditch.

Hello!

I remember that you, just like me, were quite skeptical about electric cars a few years ago because of the poor battery technology. You believed more in hydrogen power or some sort of range extender.

Now though, with the success of Tesla and all their advancements, have you changed your opinion on how "the car of the future" will/should be powered?

edit: grammar

I still like the hydrogen idea, but I can see that it's problematic. I have an electric car, a BMW i3. I think electric motors are great for cars, but electricity remains a bit elusive.

Hi James,

I'm a big fan of your 'Cars of the People' series. What is your personal favourite people's car?

Almost certainly the Austin Allegro Vanden Plas.

Now that you're employed, does that mean you've quit making poor-quality cooking videos for YouTube? I loved those, shittiness and all.

No, I've quit making superb cooking videos for YouTube.

James -

Any chance we get this in the states? Just finished up watching the car factory show (aka Building Cars Live), and I always enjoy watching your more technically oriented shows.

If you mean 'The Reassembler', then yes, you will get it if a TV station buys it. They should.

When or why did you say "oh cock" for the first time?

It was in Monaco, when I realised I'd lost the race against the Aston.

What is your favourite thing to explain/delve into that the other two find boring?

Relativity. They just don't get it.

Do you have a favorite outtake from Top Gear?

It was all out-takes, as far as I can remember.

For you personally: LaFerrari, P1 or 918?

LaFerrari.

The trailer makes me feel calm somehow. May I ask you for a haiku about The Reassembler?

The reassembler, Someone takes something to bits, I reassemble.

What is your favourite Sandwich?

Fish fingers. White council bread, frozen Birds Eye fingers or similar fried in a pan, bit of salad cream or tommy sauce.

Hi James, big fan. I can say with confidence that Top Gear is what got me interested in cars and how they work. My question is, what is your vision of the automotive industry in 10, maybe 20 years? What areas will find innovation and what areas will stagnate? Thanks for taking the time to do this AMA.

Everyone who has ever tried to answer this one has got it wrong. But, long-term, I think cars will become a hobby, and we'll find some other way of getting around.

I know you have a pilots license, and have some, well, "unorthodox" experience with crossing the English Channel, and of course you have a wealth of automobile experience and time on trains from TG. What would you say is your preferred mode of travel? And do you prefer to drive yourself or be the passenger?

I still like to drive myself. I still find driving amazing. I'm amazed we're allowed to do it.

Mr. May, you were "released" from Autocar magazine for hiding a message in one of their yearbooks. Have you since created any other hidden messages in any form of media that you are willing to divulge?

There is a hidden message in this. I'm amazed no-one has spotted it.

Mr May, what is your favourite way to cook an egg?

I think poached, on slightly burned toast.

How is it like working with Clarkson and Hammond?

Who?

If budget was no object, what TV show would you make?

The Reassembler International Space Station edition.

Hi James!

What is todays tea towel?

I'm not at home, but I think it's famous flying boats.

Have you ever been asked to be on QI? Would you like to be on QI? Also, thoughts on Denmark as a whole? Cheers! :-)

I didn't think Denmark was a hole. I rather liked it.

Where did the idea for the show come from?

Also, was the line "I'll be putting things back together, slowly," a jab at the Captain Slow nickname?

We'd been talking about it for years. And yes, maybe.

How do you like your steak cooked?

By someone else.

I don't want to talk about your new show. I want to talk about the time you came to Hemel Hempstead. What did you think of the magic roundabout?

Edit: This is the time he came to my town.

I met Dylan and smoked something weird. Man.

Always wondered: what do you smell like?

Swarfega.

Hi James, what video games have you played/do you play? :)

Recently I have been playing Sky Gamblers and Pacific Fleet.

Hey James! Two questions, 1) Did you ever sell your Ferrari 2) Would you ever sleep in a Lego House again

Yes. No.

Hello Captain Slow!

How many episodes of your new show have you filmed? What's the coolest thing you've reassembled?

There are three episodes initially. The coolest thing I reassembled was a Honda C70. But I didn't do it on the telly, sorry.

Hello Mr May,

Anyone who watches top gear knows that you are a history nerd as well as a car nerd so "what is your favorite story in the history of the automotive industry and why?

PS Huge fan of top gear and I can't wait to watch the new Amazon show or the Reassmbler!

I still think the Beetle is the best story in the history of the car. Absolutely amazing. You couldn't make it up.

Which was your favourite toy story you did? (Mine was the action man one)

From the design to finish, which did you have most fun on?

What was the biggest challenge you faced?

Were there any that didn't live up to your expectations?

Which ones exceeded your expectations?

Finally will there be any more in the future?

Thanks :)

Overall, the glider one (Flight Club). I didn't think it would work until the last few hours of filming. We might do another one on Matchbox Superfast vs Hotwheels in the future.

Hi James,

Is this show one of your ideas or did the BBC ask you to do it? Seeing as you were always the most technical one on top "so-called" gear, I'd say its a perfect fit either way and can't wait to see it.

I've made it with the people who also did Toy Stories and Man Lab. We invented putting things back together. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

driving on the left-side of the road or the right-side, which is better?

Better say left.

Left, obviously, otherwise you'd hit a car coming the other way. Duh.

James, I am a big fan. I love your segments on TG and all of your other projects espescially "Cars of the People." My question is this: Do you get lost on purpose for the show? Or do you genuinely think your sense of direction is good? Even though you are frequently proven otherwise by the results.

Only boring people know where they're going.

Permission to say 'oh cock'?

I am no longer empowered to grant permission, so crack on.

Hello, James, what colour does your favourite sweater has?

Blue it has.

Do you have any advice for those who are young and struggling in life, e.g. Uni or finding work?

Yes. You still have the world's greatest wealth in being young, so enjoy it.

What is your favorite vehicle (can be anything, tank, aircraft, truck, boat/ship) from World War II and why?

Also, one more if you don't mind. Have you three ever considered doing a cheap pickup truck segment? I know when you rescued Hammond from that mountain that you and Jeremy did it but all three of you doing silly things with cheap pickup trucks in America would absolutely delight me since I'm an American and would love to see you all rant off about why they're horrible/bad/etc.

Probably the Curtiss P40. Can't explain why. We have talked about pick-ups.

Slow! Thank you for doing this AMA. You're something of a chef (with an iron stomach no less) - what's your favorite meal to cook for company? Any secret recipes to share with us? How absolutely pissed should I be when cooking fish pie?

I would advise being completely blattered if making a fish pie. At least if it tastes anything like mine.

Can you do more audiobooks? Love your voice and it's always interesting to know how to escape Butlins.

I could, but I'd have to write another book first, and I'm trying to avoid it.

What is the first vehicle you ever owned?

1978 Vauxhall Cavalier 1.6 L in yellow, with a kicked-in rear door. Loved it.