Tributes are flowing for beloved broadcaster and motoring expert Quentin Willson, who has died at the age of 68 following a battle with lung cancer.
A Life in the Fast Lane: Remembering Quentin Willson
The sad news was confirmed by his family on Saturday, with BBC Breakfast presenters Roger Johnson and Emma Vardy paying an on-air tribute to the former Top Gear host on Sunday, 9th November. Willson was a co-presenter on the BBC's flagship motoring programme from 1991 to 2001, preceding the era of Jeremy Clarkson and James May.
In a moving statement, his family celebrated him as a 'national treasure' and a 'true consumer champion'. They said, 'Quentin brought the joy of motoring, from combustion to electric, into our living rooms.' They added that the void he left could never be filled, describing his knowledge as 'not just learned but lived; a library of experience now beyond our reach.'
Beyond Top Gear: Strictly History and EV Advocacy
Willson's career extended far beyond his role as Top Gear's used car specialist. He was a passionate campaigner, first fighting to reduce fuel tax for motorists and later becoming a prominent supporter of affordable electric vehicles.
He also secured a unique place in British television history with his appearance on Strictly Come Dancing in 2004. Willson and his professional partner, Hazel Newberry, earned the lowest score ever given by the show's judges for their Cha Cha Cha, receiving a mere eight points out of a possible 40.
Rather than being embarrassed, Willson wore this record with pride. He later remarked that he was 'very proud to have the lowest recorded score on Strictly Come Dancing'. He famously said builders would run up to shake his hand because he 'failed so badly', and he described his dancing as the 'equivalent of a JCB'.
Heartfelt Tributes from Colleagues and Friends
On BBC Breakfast, reporter Graham Satchell recalled Willson's 'unforgettable' presenting style, which was direct, forthright, and delivered with a wry sense of humour. He also highlighted the touching detail that Willson named his daughters Mercedes and Mini, noting that 'the car was his first and last love'.
Fellow motoring presenters Jeremy Clarkson and James May also shared their grief. Clarkson wrote, 'We had some laughs over the years. Properly funny man.' May posted on X, expressing gratitude for the 'proper advice and encouragement' Willson gave him during his earliest attempts at television, calling him a 'great bloke'.
The legacy of Quentin Willson, the consummate motoring enthusiast and cherished television personality, will undoubtedly live on.
