Quentin Willson dead: BBC Top Gear presenter dies aged 68 as family pay tribute

Former Top Gear and Fifth Gear presenter Quentin Willson has sadly passed away at the age of 68 after a brief battle with lung cancer, his family have confirmed.

In a moving statement, the family called Quentin, who died on Saturday, a “true national treasure”. They also said he “brought the joy of motoring, from combustion to electric, into our living rooms”.

The statement read: “The family of Quentin Willson, television presenter and producer, motoring journalist, author, and campaigner, wish to announce that he passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday 8th November, following a short battle with lung cancer. He was 68.

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

“He helped shape the original Top Gear as one of its first hosts, working alongside Jeremy Clarkson and the team who took the pioneering show global.”

Born in Birmingham in 1957, he was a well-known motoring journalist and broadcaster who graced our screens on Top Gear throughout the 90s before making the switch to Fifth Gear in 2001.

Quentin first joined the BBC in 1991 to co-host the original version of Top Gear alongside Jeremy Clarkson. Until the show’s original format was cancelled in 2001, he was a weekly fixture on the programme, typically sharing his expertise on used cars.

Throughout his illustrious career spanning several decades, he penned motoring columns for national newspapers and magazines, authored numerous books on cars and buying guides.

Beyond journalism, Willson became a prominent campaigner on motoring issues. He co-founded FairFuelUK in 2010.

It is a pressure group lobbying for lower fuel duty and more transparent fuel pricing. Quentin frequently represented motorists on radio and TV, discussing taxation, road safety and transport policy.

He also presented several other TV series, including Britain’s Worst Driver, The Car’s the Star, All-Revved Up and property-focused programmes such as Property Ladder. In addition to broadcasting, he ran a classic-car consultancy and was involved in the heritage car sector, including work promoting British automotive history, reports MyLondon.

Among those paying their respects with message of condolence following the news was owner of Lister Motor Company, Lawrence Whittaker. He shared a number of images to his Twitter/X account.

And he penned alongside the snaps: “I am so utterly devastated to hear that Quentin Willson has passed away. He was the architect of the Warrantywise plan and revolutionised, not just the car warranty market, but through his campaigning and journalism – made the entire UK Motor Trade a better place.

“He was the most knowledgeable person I ever met when it came to cars and was such a pro behind the camera. We worked closely together for over 10 years and my thoughts go out to his wife and family at this difficult time. He will be sorely missed by all. God speed Q!”

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Source: Mirror