Trivia

Fired from "Autocar" magazine after putting in a hidden message in the 1992 "Road Test Year Book" with the first letter in each review. The message read out, "So you think it's really good, yeah? You should try making the bloody thing up; it's a real pain in the arse".

He plays flute, piano and saxophone proficiently.

Along with co-presenter of Top Gear Jeremy Clarkson, became the first person to travel up to the magnetic north pole with a car.

When asked by Steve Kroft on "60 Minutes" (24 October 2010) about the fastest speed he'd ever driven in a car, May confirmed that he reached a top speed of 259.2 mph behind the wheel of a Bugatti Veyron Super Sports at the Volkswagen Group's test track in Ehra-Lessien, Germany [ep: Captain Slow Meets the Bugatti Veyron (2007)].

Has a degree in music and an incredible wealth of music knowledge. He can play the piano proficiently, although rarely in public.

He studied music at Lancaster University.

He is currently training for his light aircraft pilot's license.

He grew up near Sheffield in England.

He owns several cars including a Bentley T2, Fiat Panda, Jaguar XJS, Mini Cooper, Porsche Boxter S, Porsche 911 and a Range Rover. He also owns a Ferrari 458.

Some of the cars he has owned: Saab 9-5 aero, Bentley T2, Rolls Royce phantom, Triumph 2000, Rover P6, Alfa Romeo 164, Rolls Royce corniche, Jaguar XJS, Range Rover, Fiat panda, Datsun 120Y, Porsche 911 carrera S, Vauxhall cavalier, Ferrari F430, Ferrari 458 Italia, Ferrari 458 speciale, Porsche 911, Porsche boxster S, BMW i3, Mini cooper, Citroën Ami, Mazda MX-5.

Daily driver: BMW i3.

Born in Bristol but grew up in South Wales and South Yorkshire.