Top Gear star James May hits new low on Youtube

Top Gear stars Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson and James May.

With Top Gear off the television and his next career move uncertain, James May has taken to playing the recorder with his days off.

The BBC presenter struck a sombre note as he played Greensleeves on the woodwind instrument in a YouTube video posted on his newly created JM unemployment tube channel.

The geeky petrol-head looks dejected as he plays the traditional English folk song, which was written by King Henry VIII.

Poking fun at his career dilemma, he called the video "Greensleeves with a hangover" and added in a note: "Performed by the jobless James May 'pon the descant recorder."

The jokey video was a hit with viewers with one watcher writing on the website that it is the "best Youtube channel in the world".

May posted a link to the video on his Twitter prompting one user to comment: "This is the face and sound of a sad middle-aged English bloke without a hope for his future."

The presenter replied: "Well spotted!"

The 52-year-old's career hangs in the balance after Jeremy Clarkson was sacked from Top Gear for punching a producer.

May and his co-host Richard Hammond, 45, have not announced if they will stay at the show or not, but have heavily hinted that they will follow Clarkson out of the BBC.

Asked earlier in the week if he will continue on Top Gear, May said the trio came "as a package" and his future requires "a lot of careful thought".

- AAP