What happened to James May’s arm? Grand Tour presenter’s injuries explained
JAMES May is a much-loved British presenter, best known for his work alongside Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond.
While the trio filmed The Grand Tour, James amassed catalogue of serious injuries and near-death experiences.
What happened to James May’s arm?
James May broke his arm falling out of a pub before an episode of The Grand Tour had even aired.
The accident happened while filming the very first season.
Andy Wilman, the show’s producer, explained: “James fell over the night before filming, coming out of a pub.
“He rang me up and said, ‘I’ve broken my arm.’ His car was automatic so we stuck him on Eurostar, pumped him full of drugs and left him to it.
“[James] did more damage to it because he had to keep on going, but he’s falling to bits anyway.
“We are not in Usain Bolt territory with that body.”
What other injuries has James May sustained while filming The Grand Tour?
James has sustained several injuries while filming The Grand Tour — even believing he was going to drown at one point.
The most severe injury was during filming of the Norway special A Scandi Flick in 2022.
While performing a high-speed challenge in a tunnel at a decommissioned Norwegian naval base, James crashed a Mitsubishi Evo into a wall at 75mph.
The impact caused significant injuries, including a broken rib, neck and back pain, as well as some cuts and bruises from the impact.
Following the smash, James underwent a brain scan in hospital, but thankfully got the all-clear.
Despite the severity of the crash, he escaped without more serious injuries and was able to rejoin his co-hosts a couple of days later to continue the shoot.
James also came close to death in Venice, Italy, while filming the first series of The Grand Tour.
He almost drowned, fearing he was about to meet his maker because he didn’t have enough energy to swim to safety.
James said: “I thought I would drown. I couldn’t get out… I had completely run out of strength.”
While Jeremy said: “Everyone managed to get into their cars but somehow James slipped.”
He was also left “genuinely scared” while shooting scenes for the 2016 two-part Beach (Buggy) Boys special in the Namibian desert because of the scorching conditions.
In 2023, it was revealed last year that The Grand Tour was coming to an end.
I thought I would drown. I couldn’t get out… I had completely run out of strength
James May
But James will reunite with his long-time friends and co-stars for one final adventure.
The Grand Tour: One for the Road premiered on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, September 13, 2024.
Admitting the stunts have taken a bit of a toll on him, James told GB News: “I won’t really miss the stress of it because I’m old now and a bit frail compared with back then [when we started].”
“In the end, we got to the point where we said, ‘No, we must stop whilst we’re still vaguely ahead. We mustn’t keep going until we embarrass ourselves.
“I’ve always said if it ends tomorrow, which it nearly did at one point, that I should just be grateful that I had the opportunity.
“I could always have gone back to some sort of proper life and done something responsible and sensible.”
What injuries did James May sustain while filming Top Gear?
James also badly hurt himself on a number of occasions throughout his time making Top Gear.
While filming the 2010 Middle East Special, he suffered a serious head injury in Syria while helping Jeremy tow his car from a ditch.
James fell and smashed his head on a rock, losing consciousness and suffering a severe concussion.
He was taken to a hospital, given a brain scan, put on a drip, and received stitches for a head wound.
While shooting the 2014 Top Gear Patagonia Special, James cracked three ribs while trying to mount a horse.
The injury occurred when the presenters had to abandon their cars and continue their journey on horseback after encountering an impassable section of the route.
Despite the painful injury, James continued filming.
He also fell off another horse earlier in the same year during the filming of the Top Gear Burma Special.
While Captain slow avoided serious injury that time, the Hamster wasn’t so lucky — he ended up in hospital after falling from his horse while shooting the same special.