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James May admits to struggling in his retirement period

James May laments about the struggles he's facing during his retirement period, opening up during the final episode of The Grand Tour with co-hosts Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond on Amazon Prime Video.

James May publicly announces his disappointing retirement struggles
James May publicly announces his disappointing retirement struggles

James May admits to struggling in his retirement period

James May, the beloved presenter and journalist, has found that his planned retirement in 2025 is not going as expected. In an unexpected turn of events, May has revealed that 2022 has been his busiest year in about a decade, filled with a plethora of engagements that have kept him far from the relaxing life of retirement.

May's upcoming schedule is a testament to his unrelenting spirit. He is set to speak at several history festivals and charity events, host two new television series this year, and perform a live show across Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. Despite these commitments, May admits he hasn't had a day off in months.

However, not everything has been smooth sailing for May. He has been dealing with a broken wrist, sustained from a fall, which has caused a temporary halt in his exercise routine. May, who usually prefers activities that are not overly strenuous, has been cycling about 10 miles a day whenever possible to maintain his fitness levels.

The recovery of his broken wrist has been taking a long time, leaving May feeling disturbed by his appearance in photographs on YouTube videos. He has noticed changes in his physical appearance, becoming flabby around his face and gut. Despite this, May still expects to see a relatively youthful image when looking in the mirror.

May's decision to retire was originally prompted by the realities of aging, but he seems to have found a renewed passion for his work. He has been open about his struggles with retirement, stating that he has failed at it, and that he is looking forward to continuing his work in the coming years.

[1] BBC News, "James May: I've failed at retirement," 11 May 2022,

  1. James May's schedule for the rest of 2022 includes speaking at various history festivals, hosting new television series in the realms of entertainment, and performing a live show across multiple countries, showcasing his enduring enthusiasm for work.
  2. Despite the challenges of a broken wrist and changes in his physical appearance resulting from a brief break in his fitness routine, James May has found solace in cycling and remains determined to maintain his fitness levels in the realm of health-and-wellness.
  3. In a surprising turn of events, James May, who initially sought retirement due to the realities of aging, has rediscovered a passion for his work and expressed his intentions to continue his professional journey in the fields of science, entertainment, health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and philanthropy.

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