Top Gear's James May left in tears as he opens up on 'tragic and sudden' family death

Television host James May has opened up about the heartache he felt after the loss of his cherished pet cat, who he was "very close" to.

The ex-Top Gear star confessed that the most recent tough moment he had faced in life was when his treasured cat passed away. James, 62, described the sudden loss of his pet as a difficult event to come to terms with.

He shared his grief, admitting: "I last cried when my cat died. We were very close. His name was Fluff because he wasn't long-haired, but still fluffy. He died suddenly of an embolism, in some pain, so it was all a bit tragic."

Reflecting on his tenure on the BBC show, James also recounted the time he felt closest to death.

Speaking to The i, he remembered: "The closest I've come to death is when I crashed my aeroplane. I tried to land in a gusting crosswind, and the next thing, the aeroplane was on its back.

"There could have been a fire, which would've been the end of me. It was years after I'd started working on Top Gear that I was driving with a mate past an airfield and it had a sign saying: introductory flying lessons, 30 minutes for £120.

"He said: 'Let's stop and have one. Now I have my private pilot's licence.'"

In addition to recounting his brush with mortality, James has recently spoken about his ventures outside television, including managing a pub and creating content for YouTube.

The media personality said: "2025 was going to be my trial retirement year, but I've been accepted to speak at a couple of history festivals and charity events.

"I've got two TV series, and then I'm doing a live show in Australia, New Zealand and around the UK. This is the busiest year I've had for about a decade."

James has been busy filming one of his shows, 'James May's Shed Load of Ideas', which was recently seen shooting at a Gillingham supermarket, much to the delight of unsuspecting shoppers.

In a statement, Diana, the store's community champion, told The New Blackmore Vale: "We had former Top Gear presenter James May in store filming for his new show, James May's Shed Load of Ideas.

"He lives relatively locally and we are his nearest Asda. He's a lovely man who took time to have his picture taken with lots of customers and excited school children on their way to sports day."