Former Top Gear presenter James May has spoken about the death of a beloved family pet a few years ago while the TV star also touched on his closest brush with death
Television presenter James May has admitted he got very emotional after his beloved pet cat died and gone into detail about his career to-date as well as his plans for the future.
The former Top Gear presenter admitted that the last time he had had a difficult moment was when his beloved feline passed away.
The 62-year-old said that his pet’s death had been sudden and it had been hard for him to deal with.
He explained: “I last cried when my cat died. We were very close. His name was Fluff because he wasn’t long-haired, but still fluffy. He died suddenly of an embolism, in some pain, so it was all a bit tragic.”
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James also opened up about his time on the popular BBC programme, the hair raising moments, and the closest he felt to death was whilst in his own aircraft.
He told The i: “The closest I’ve come to death is when I crashed my aeroplane. I tried to land in a gusting crosswind, and the next thing, the aeroplane was on its back.”
James added: “There could have been a fire, which would’ve been the end of me. It was years after I’d started working on Top Gear that I was driving with a mate past an airfield and it had a sign saying: introductory flying lessons, 30 minutes for £120.
“He said: ‘Let’s stop and have one. Now I have my private pilot’s licence.’”
Alongside reflecting on his near-death experiences, James has also talked in recent months about his business activities including running a pub and shooting videos for YouTube.
In fact the media personality said: “2025 was going to be my trial retirement year, but I’ve been accepted to speak at a couple of history festivals and charity events.
“I’ve got two TV series, and then I’m doing a live show in Australia, New Zealand and around the UK. This is the busiest year I’ve had for about a decade.”
One of the shows James has been filming has been ‘James May’s Shed Load of Ideas’ which was recently spotted filming at a Gillingham supermarket, much to the surprise of shoppers.
In a statement, the store’s community champion Diana told The New Blackmore Vale: “We had former Top Gear presenter James May in store filming for his new show, James May’s Shed Load of Ideas.
“He lives relatively locally and we are his nearest Asda. He’s a lovely man who took time to have his picture taken with lots of customers and excited school children on their way to sports day.”