James May, well-known for his work alongside Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear and The Grand Tour, has candidly described Clarkson as his “biggest nemesis,” highlighting amusing arguments they’ve had over their rival pubs.
In a recent interview with the Observer, when asked who his arch-nemesis was, May did not hesitate: “Honestly, it’s probably Jeremy Clarkson.” He’s experienced moments where strangers confuse him for various celebrities like King Theoden from Lord of the Rings, Robert Plant, and Billy Connolly — which he finds flattering. But being mistaken for Clarkson is a different story, prompting self-reflection: “Unfortunately, quite a few times when I’ve been out walking or riding my bike around London, I’ve been mistaken for Jeremy Clarkson. I have to go home, examine myself very deeply and think: what have I done?”
Their friendly pub rivalry has been ongoing for years. May jokingly claims his pub in Wiltshire would be the refuge of choice in a zombie apocalypse. “Oh, mine. It’s in Wiltshire. We’re heavily armed down here," he said confidently.
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He criticizes the queueing system at Clarkson’s pub, The Farmer’s Dog, insisting that it clashes with traditional pub bar etiquette. “People queue up at Clarkson’s. There’s queueing protocol going on, which I don’t like. We’ve had this argument many times. The whole point of the bar in a pub is that it’s wide and shallow. It’s not a hatch. Why would you queue at it? Good bar people know the order in which to serve.”
May’s own pub, The Royal Oak, which opened in 2021, is described by him as “much better.” While he admits he hasn’t visited Clarkson’s pub himself, he has spoken to others who have, describing Clarkson’s establishment as a “mass throughput model” with long queues for burgers, while May prefers a more relaxed atmosphere.
This sibling rivalry takes a lighthearted tone, reflecting their camaraderie off-screen, much to the delight of fans familiar with their dynamic on television.