Why Was James May Not in the Perfect Road Trip?

By Robert Palmer

If you are a fan of the popular motoring show, Top Gear, then you must have heard of its spin-off series called The Grand Tour. The Grand Tour features the trio of former Top Gear presenters, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May, as they embark on various adventures around the world.

However, some viewers may have noticed that James May was not present in one of their most popular specials – The Perfect Road Trip. So why was James May not in The Perfect Road Trip? Let’s find out.

The Perfect Road Trip

The Perfect Road Trip is a two-part special that premiered in December 2013 on BBC Two. It features Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond as they embark on a 1,000-mile trip across Italy to find the perfect supercar. They test out some of the most expensive and exotic cars such as Ferrari 458 Italia, Lamborghini Aventador, and Pagani Huayra.

Why Was James May Not in It?

Many fans were disappointed to see that James May was not part of The Perfect Road Trip. However, there is a simple explanation for this – he was busy filming another show at the time.

While Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond were filming The Perfect Road Trip in Italy, James May was actually working on his own series called James May’s Toy Stories. This show sees May exploring the world of toys and attempting to recreate some iconic toys such as Airfix models and Lego blocks.

Other Instances Where One Presenter Was Missing

It’s not uncommon for one presenter to be missing from an episode or a special due to various reasons such as scheduling conflicts or personal reasons. Here are some other instances where one presenter was missing from Top Gear or The Grand Tour:

  • In the early seasons of Top Gear, Jason Dawe co-presented with Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond. However, he was replaced by James May in the second season.
  • In the 13th season of Top Gear, Richard Hammond was absent for a few episodes due to a car crash he had while filming for the show.
  • In The Grand Tour’s second season, Richard Hammond was unable to participate in some episodes due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.

Conclusion

In conclusion, James May was not part of The Perfect Road Trip because he was busy filming his own show at the time. While it’s always great to see all three presenters together, sometimes scheduling conflicts can get in the way. Nonetheless, The Perfect Road Trip remains one of the most popular specials from Top Gear and The Grand Tour, and it’s definitely worth watching if you haven’t seen it already.