Former Top Gear and Fifth Gear presenter Quentin Willson has died at the age of 68 following a short battle with lung cancer, his family has said.
He was one of Top Gear’s original stars and was the show’s used car expert for a decade from 1991.
During his time on the programme, Willson worked alongside Jeremy Clarkson, Vicki Butler-Henderson and James May.
He later went on to front Channel 5‘s rival motoring show Fifth Gear and worked as a motoring journalist.
Willson also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2004, where his eight-point total for one dance still stands as the lowest score given by judges on the show.
In his later life he worked as a campaigner, fronting the FairFuel campaign to lower the cost of fuel duty. He was also an early advocate for electric cars.
In a heart-breaking tribute, Willson’s family described him as a ‘true national treasure’, who ‘brought the joy of motoring, from combustion to electric, into our living rooms’.
They said he died surrounded by his family on Saturday, following a short battle with lung cancer.
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.
Former Top Gear and Fifth Gear presenter Quentin Willson has died at the age of 68 following a short battle with lung cancer , his family said
Willson was the show’s used car expert for a decade before he went on to front Channel 5’s rival motoring show Fifth Gear
Willson later went on to front Channel 5 ‘s rival motoring show Fifth Gear and also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing
‘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.
‘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.
During his time on the programme, Willson worked alongside Jeremy Clarkson, Vicki Butler-Henderson and James May
Willson is pictured in 2001 on a BBC programme investigating the biggest car fraud in the world
Willson is pictured with Richard Branson in Notting Hill
‘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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