Former Top Gear presenter Quentin Willson dies aged 68

Former Top Gear presenter Quentin Willson has died aged 68 after a short battle with lung cancer.

The television presenter and motoring journalist died “peacefully surrounded by his family” on Saturday November 8, a statement from his family said.

Willson was one of the first hosts on the hit BBC motoring show, alongside Jeremy Clarkson, before he went on to front Channel 5’s Fifth Gear.

The statement said: “A true national treasure, Quentin brought the joy of motoring, from combustion to electric, into our living rooms.”

Willson hosted BBC’s Top Gear from 1991 until 2001 and went on to create and present a number of shows including Britain’s Worst Drivers and BBC Two’s The Car’s The Star.

He also made headlines after performing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2004 where he continues to hold the lowest score in the show’s history after receiving an eight for his cha cha cha with professional Hazel Newberry.

The broadcaster was an avid “consumer champion”, advocating for a number of campaigns including helping to freeze fuel duty with his FairFuel campaign and recently worked “tirelessly” to make electric vehicles affordable through his FairCharge campaign.

The statement continued: “Long before it was fashionable, he championed the GM EV1 and the promise of electric cars, proving he was always ahead of the curve.

“Much-loved husband to Michaela, devoted father to Mercedes, Max and Mini, and cherished grandfather to Saskia, Xander & Roxana. Quentin will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him personally and professionally.

“The void he has left can never be filled. His knowledge was not just learned but lived; a library of experience now beyond our reach.”

Former Top Gear presenter James May, who appeared alongside Willson on the programme, paid tribute to the broadcaster and described him as a “great bloke”.

He said: “Quentin Willson gave me proper advice and encouragement during my earliest attempts at TV, back in the late 90s. I’ve never forgotten it.”

Willson wrote weekly columns for The Mirror and Sunday Mirror for 15 years and contributed to Classic Cars Magazine for nine years.

He was named motoring writer of the year at the British Press Awards in 2004, when working for the Sunday Mirror.

Ginny Buckley, chief executive of EV advice site Electrifying.com, also paid tribute, saying: “Quentin was a true national treasure.

“I was lucky to get to know him in recent years through his excellent work with FairCharge, where his passion for making electric vehicles accessible to all really shone through.

“He was warm, generous with his knowledge and unfailingly kind. He brought the joy of motoring – from petrol to plug – into our homes and hearts, and will be greatly missed.”

Willson was a patron of the Hydrogen Trust and was also a Bafta film judge.

The family asked for privacy and said funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.