JAMES May has addressed the competition between him and former co-star Jeremy Clarkson and their own boozers for the very first time.
Since finding fame for chatting all things motoring on Top Gear and The Grand Tour, both men have gone on to open and operate their very own pubs.
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James May has had his say on former co-star Jeremy Clarkson’s pub
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Both men have opened and operated pubs since their TV fameCredit: Jamesmaybloke
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James revealed that he had never visited Jeremy’s pubCredit: Adrian Sherratt
Whilst Jezza’s endeavour has been heavily documented on his reality series, Clarkson’s Farm, James has also been hard at work shaping the success of his own pub.
Now, in a new confession, James revealed that he believed his pub would come out on top in a battle between the two by insisting it is “bitter”.
Sparking speculation of a rivalry between the former colleagues, James further admitted that he hadn’t even been to Jezza’s famous pub.
Speaking to Al Arabiya News host Tom Burges Watson on his show, James confessed: “Mine’s much better.
“I think that’s the main difference.
“I haven’t actually been to Jeremy’s pub. I’ve met a few people who have.
“It sounds like, well, from what I can gather, he’s gone for a sort of mass throughput model.
“So he’s got hundreds of people queuing up to have his burger, whereas ours is a little bit more relaxed.”
Adding of his own pub set-up, James continued: “It’s a village pub where people come. The food is great. We’ve got a fabulous chef and team of chefs.
“So mine would feel more like, more like a regular English pub. It’s not, it’s not old fashioned.
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“He hasn’t got horse brass on the walls or any of that tweezer. There’s no Morris dancing.
“I won’t allow that. It is just a pub.”
Jeremy, 64, has opened his own pub called The Farmer’s Dog, near his 1,000-acre Oxfordshire farm site, known as Diddly Squat.
However in 2020, James, 61, also embarked on his own venture as he became part owner of The Royal Oak pub in the village of Swallowcliffe in Wiltshire.
James May’s career to date
TV presenter and journalist James May has enjoyed a long on-screen career, with a main focus on motoring. Here is a look at some of his biggest projects.
Top Gear (1999): James was a briefly a host on the original 1977 to 2001 iteration of the popular motoring show. The likes of Angela Rippon, Andy Wilman, Noel Edmonds, Kate Humble and Jeremy Clarkson were also presenters at various points.
Top Gear (Revived series, 2003-2015): After Jason Dawe departed following series one of the revival, James boarded the revived Top Gear in 2003. He starred alongside Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and The Stig until 2015, when the main trio left the programme.
Oz and James’s Big Wine Adventure (2006-2007): This show featured wine expert Oz Clarke attempting to educate James about wine while undertaking a road trip. The programme lasted two series. A sequel titled Oz and James Drink to Britain aired in 2009.
James May’s Toy Stories (2009 to 2014): This programme featured well-known toys from the past being brought into the modern era through a complex, large-scale project involving the nature of the toy. James created, co-wrote, presented and narrated the show.
The Grand Tour (2016 to 2024): Conceived following James and his co-stars leaving Top Gear, The Grand Tour launched on Amazon Prime Video in 2016. The trio were joined by producer Andy Wilman, who also made the move.
James May: Our Man in… (2020-present): A travel documentary series for Amazon Prime Video, which has seen James visit Japan, Italy and India so far.
James May: Oh Cook! (2020 – present): As the title suggests, this is a cooking programme hosted by James and it is released via Amazon Prime Video. The programme features the presenter trying to cook a variety of different dishes, with each episode focusing on a cuisine.
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Jezza’s pub has been well-documentedCredit: PA
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Hammond has visited James’ pubCredit: DRIVETRIBE
