James May flooded with support as Top Gear star announces family death: 'Didn't know I could feel such grief!'

On X, Mr May penned: "My mate Bouncer died yesterday. He'd lived with us for 13 years as a furry, purring, permanently migrating ornament.

"I didn't know I could feel such grief for a witless bag of bones who destroyed my favourite sofa and c**pped in the shower tray."

Alongside his message, Mr May also shared a sweet photo from the day he first adopted Bouncer from an animal shelter.

Fans rushed to send their condolences to the TV star following his emotional post.

Historian Katja Hoyer replied: "My sincere condolences, James. I felt so sad when my big fat friend Harry died that I dedicated my last book to him.

"Many people have made jokes about that since, but I think anyone who's ever had a cat or a dog knows what it feels like to lose them. May Bouncer rest in peace."

My mate Bouncer died yesterday. He’d lived with us for 13 years as a furry, purring, permanently migrating ornament.

I didn’t know I could feel such grief for a witless bag of bones who destroyed my favourite sofa and crapped in the shower tray.

Below is a picture taken on the… pic.twitter.com/fHhHdqywrN

— James May (@MrJamesMay) May 23, 2026

Elsewhere, Jeremy Vine regular and political commentator, Narinder Kaur responded: "I'm sorry to hear this James xx."

Even the parody X account for Downing Street's famous feline Larry offered condolences, writing: "Sorry to learn of Bouncer's passing James; he was a fine feline."

Elsewhere, Mr May's fans echoed the sentiment. One wrote: "James, I am so sorry for your loss. As a lifelong cat owner, I still don't understand why the death of a cat is so emotionally affecting, but there it is.

"I shed more tears for the loss of our Ginger Tom, than I did for my own father. Keep faith."

And a second weighed in: "He was beautiful. Thank you for loving him. You will see him on the other side.

"I have cats who've passed who sometimes come and visit me in my dreams. I'm sure they're saying hi."

Bouncer wasn't the first feline companion Mr May has lost over the years.

The presenter often spoke about his cat Fusker during his Top Gear days, and he's also been a devoted owner of another cat called Fluff.

Sadly, Fluff's death hit Mr May particularly hard.

He previously admitted: "I last cried when my cat died. We were very close. His name was Fluff because he wasn't long-haired, but still fluffy."

Mr May revealed that Fluff died suddenly from an embolism, describing it as "all a bit tragic" as his beloved pet passed away in some pain.

The former Grand Tour star didn't reveal Bouncer's cause of death.