[user104658]

Originally Posted by Kevin the Carrot

He is

James May said in an interview that while they're obviously friends, it's more in the form of old workmates than besties - i.e. they enjoy each other's company on the job but they don't really socialize or stay in close touch outwith their work.

So they do indeed probably like him as a work pal but they're not "besties", it's different. It may be a tough concept for you as you can't be workmates with an old lamp... so you may not quite grasp that "workmate who you chat away to every day but will never speak to again as soon as you stop working together" dynamic. That's what he's describing. When they retire they'll enjoy seeing each other once in a blue moon... but they'll make no effort for that to be regular.