Former Top Gear and Fifth Gear presenter has died at 68 following a short battle with lung cance
Former Top Gear and Fifth Gear presenter Quentin Willson has died at 68 following a short battle with lung cancer, his family said. Willson, born in 1957 in Birmingham, was a prominent motoring journalist and broadcaster who appeared on Top Gear throughout the 1990s before moving to Fifth Gear in 2001.
Willson joined the BBC in 1991 to co-host the original version of Top Gear with Jeremy Clarkson. Until the original format’s cancellation in 2001, he appeared every week on the programme, typically as an expert on used cars.
In a statement, the family described Willson, who died on Saturday, as a “true national treasure”, who “brought the joy of motoring, from combustion to electric, into our living rooms”.
The statement said: “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.
Over his decades-long career he wrote motoring columns for national newspapers and magazines, authored several books on cars and buying guides. Beyond journalism, Willson became a prominent campaigner on motoring issues. He co-founded FairFuelUK in 2010, a pressure group lobbying for lower fuel duty and more transparent fuel pricing. He 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.
The family tribute added: ““He went on to front Fifth Gear and still holds the dubious honour of Strictly Come Dancing’s lowest score in history.
“Through his FairFuel campaign, Quentin saved UK consumers a fortune by helping to freeze fuel duty. Over £100 billion in fresh taxation was prevented by the campaign, a real consumer win by a true consumer champion. He also created and presented much-loved programmes such as Britain’s Worst Drivers and The Cars the Star.
“Long before it was fashionable, he championed the GM EV1 and the promise of electric cars, proving he was always ahead of the curve.
“More recently he had worked tirelessly to make EVs affordable for all, via his FairCharge campaign. 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.
“While messages of condolence are warmly appreciated, the family asks that their privacy be respected at this difficult time.
“Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course. 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.”
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