James May admits he regrets the way he, Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond left Top Gear

James May has admitted he regrets the way he left Top Gear alongside colleagues Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond.

While the show has changed from its weekly in-studio format to just specials in recent years, it remains a big part of the offering on Prime Video.

Back then, it was announced that Clarkson's contract would not be renewed after a 'fracas' with Oisin Tymon.

The 'fracas' led to Oisin suffering from a bloody lip, with Clarkson later apologising to the producer over the altercation.

Shortly after, the automotive journalist said: "I would like to say sorry, once again, to Oisin Tymon for the incident and its regrettable aftermath.

"I want to reiterate that none of this was in any way his fault.

"I would also like to make it clear that the abuse he has suffered since the incident is unwarranted and I am sorry too that he has had to go through that."

Speaking to The Times in an interview last year, May said he wished he had intervened to help Clarkson and Tymon reconcile.

"Looking back on it, what annoyed me was that the whole thing became so blown up. And actually, it wasn’t that a big a deal," he said.

“It wasn’t fair on Oisin, the other guy.

“He became a bit of a hate figure on the internet, which I thought was very poor.”

May continued: "It could have been sorted out quite easily with a bit of kissing and making up and a bit of slapping and kicking up the a***.

"But, of course, it turned into a huge story.

"And sometimes I wish I had made more of an effort to make the reconciliation happen."

While Clarkson found a new home at Amazon with The Grand Tour and Clarkson's Farm, it appears the presenter will be leaving the company next year.

Variety reported in January that the streaming service won't be working with Clarkson beyond seasons of The Grand Tour and Clarkson’s Farm that have already been commissioned.