Why Is James May Banned From Clarkson's Pub

So, you’ve heard the rumor: Jeremy Clarkson, the loud, car-crashing guy from Top Gear, has apparently banned his old mate James May from his new countryside pub. What’s that a...

So, you’ve heard the rumor: Jeremy Clarkson, the loud, car-crashing guy from Top Gear, has apparently banned his old mate James May from his new countryside pub. What’s that all about? Did May spill a pint on Clarkson’s prize-winning sheep? Did they have another on-set fistfight over a poorly made sandwich? Let’s dig into this delightfully absurd feud.

The Pub That Started It All

First, you have to know about the pub itself. Jeremy Clarkson, after years of yelling about cars, bought a lovely farm in the Cotswolds and turned it into a real working pub called The Farmer’s Dog. It’s a cozy, rustic spot where locals and fans can grab a beer and a pie—if they survive the parking.

And it’s a massive hit, obviously. People queue for hours just to say they drank where Clarkson once argued with a cow. But one person, it seems, is persona non grata there: his old co-host, Captain Slow himself, James May.

So, What Did James Do Wrong?

Here’s the juicy bit: the ban isn’t real—or is it? Actually, it’s a running joke. Clarkson loves to pretend that May is barred for being, well, too James May. He once said in an interview that May “takes too long” to order a drink and “makes everything boring.”

Can you picture it? James May standing at the bar, politely dissecting the menu, asking about the provenance of the pork scratchings, while Clarkson fumes behind the counter. It’s like watching a tortoise race a hare, except the hare is holding a shotgun full of sarcasm.

Why It’s Actually Pretty Cool

The best part? This is just their signature style of friendship. Clarkson, Hammond, and May have spent decades winding each other up on camera. A fake ban from a pub? That’s basically their love language. It’s like when your best friend says they’re “never speaking to you again” because you ate the last slice of pizza—and then you’re laughing about it ten minutes later.

James May delivers brutal response after being 'banned' from Jeremy

Think of it as the Monty Python of pub dramas. It’s not a real feud; it’s a playful bit of theatre that keeps fans smiling. And honestly, wouldn’t you feel a little disappointed if Clarkson didn’t come up with something daft like this?

The Unspoken Rule of the Pub

Here’s the twist: James May probably is allowed inside. Clarkson has even admitted that if May showed up quietly, he’d let him stay. The ban is more of a cautionary tale: “Don’t be like James May, or you’ll get kicked out for being too thoughtful.”

It’s a perfect metaphor for their whole dynamic. Clarkson is the loud, chaotic energy who needs to put up a “No Nerds” sign just to feel alive. May is the calm, curious engineer who would probably improve the pub’s plumbing if left unattended.

James May addresses being 'banned' from Jeremy Clarkson's pub in brutal