'I want to get banned from Jeremy Clarkson's pub - James May already is'

Richard Hammond has amusingly disclosed his desire to be banned from Jeremy Clarkson's £1 million pub. The two television stars first crossed paths in 2002 when they started co-hosting the BBC show Top Gear, and their shared automotive enthusiasm led to a long-running collaboration extending beyond two decades, including on The Grand Tour.

Hammond cheekily admitted he looks forward to being banned upon his first visit to his old friend's tavern during an appearance on The Chris Moyles Show on Radio X, quipping: "No, I haven't been yet. I want to go and get banned. So I've got to summon the energy to do that. I don't think it'll be that difficult. I think he's already banned James."

James May, another member of the motoring trio from The Grand Tour and a close companion of Clarkson, found himself barred from the bar on its very first day.

Clarkson has even reportedly placed bans on Keir Starmer and Maddy Hornby, adding to the establishment's exclusivity.

Meanwhile, May is a part-owner of The Royal Oak pub in Swallowcliffe, though Richard confirmed his lack of presence at Clarkson's by telling Chris Moyles: "I don't know, I guess so. I went there. I've been to his, but I haven't yet been to Jeremy's. I'm always asked."

Handout photo issued by Neil Robinson of the opening of Jeremy Clarkson's new pub, The Farmer's Dog, in Asthall, near Burford in Oxfordshire. Issue date: Friday August 23, 2024. PA Photo. The former Top Gear presenter is opening amid fears the venture may bring more traffic problems following the success of his Diddly Squat farm shop, with residents expressing concerns about traffic problems because the pub is located next to the busy A40 road. See PA story SHOWBIZ Clarkson. Photo credit should read: Neil Robinson/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder. (Image: PA)

When quizzed whether he had to splash out for his own pint at James' pub, Richard disclosed: "'Yeah, I had to pay for it.", reports The Mirror.

James May, teamed with Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, became synonymous with Top Gear for more than a decade after hopping on board in 2002. Their tenure ended abruptly following a scuffle between Jeremy and a producer.

Yet the trio didn't call it quits on their partnership; they shifted gears to Amazon Prime with The Grand Tour in 2015. Despite the change in venue, May reflected on the BBC saga, hinting that the network could have responded differently to Jeremy's dust-up with producer Oisin Tymon, which resulted in an investigation and the eventual departure of all three stars.

In an interview with The Times , May revealed: "I thought it was very unfortunate and I don't actually think our Top Gear had to end because of it. I think it could have been patched up and put down to a bit of high stress and flightiness, to be honest. It happened. It's regrettable and it's unfortunate, but it didn't need to lead to the collapse of something very successful."

He speculated about whether their exit was due to a sentiment that it was "time of us to move on".