Former Top Gear legend reveals sadness at show being axed and says: ‘I can’t believe it’s gone forever’
EX-TOP Gear presenter James May says he is sad the show has now been axed, saying: “I can’t believe it’s gone forever.”
It came after BBC chiefs confirmed yesterday the motoring programme has been scrapped “for the foreseeable future”.
Bosses said: “We know resting the show will be disappointing for fans, but it’s the right thing to do.”
James, 60, hosted from 2003 to 2015 alongside Sun columnist Jeremy Clarkson, 63, and Richard Hammond, 53.
And he said: “I can see why it’s a tricky one for the makers, but I can’t believe it’s gone forever.”
“I think it’s sad because I was a big Top Gear watcher when I was a teenager in the 70s.”
The Sun exclusively revealed last month the show was being axed.
The BBC’s confirmation came almost a year after a crash during Top Gear filming left presenter Freddie Flintoff, 45, with severe facial injuries.
James said he was shocked by the smash, which saw Freddie’s car flip while filming with co-hosts Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris.
On safety, James said: “I don’t think we ever did anything dangerous.
“We used to take safety very seriously and I still know guys who have worked on it, and they do as well.”
The Sun revealed last month Freddie had settled a £9million BBC payout.
James, due to star in Prime Video’s James May: Our Man in India, said TV needs a car show now more than ever, amid big motoring changes.
Yesterday, the Beeb said it “remains committed to Freddie, Chris and Paddy” and is “excited about new projects with them”.