The motoring world is in mourning following the death of Quentin Willson, the esteemed journalist and television presenter, at the age of 68. He passed away after a battle with lung cancer, leaving behind a formidable legacy in automotive journalism and broadcasting.
From Car Dealer to Top Gear Star
Willson's journey to national fame began unexpectedly. He was running a secondhand car business, Fastfleet, with his twin brother, Ashley, when he was selected in 1991 to join the presenting team of the BBC's Top Gear. He brought a unique perspective as the programme's used-car expert, quickly becoming a fan favourite.
His on-screen persona was defined by an informative and intelligent style, delivered with a wry smile and scathing wit. He famously praised the MGB sports car for its road-holding, while branding older Jaguars as "the domain of spivs, crooks and bookmakers". Alongside Jeremy Clarkson, Willson became one of the show's most familiar faces, with critics noting their chemistry, comparing them to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
A Champion for Consumers and Electric Vehicles
Willson's advocacy extended beyond the screen. He emerged as a powerful consumers' champion, campaigning vigorously against the artificially high prices of cars in Britain and demanding parity with the rest of Europe. His passion for fair pricing was a consistent theme throughout his career.
In a pivotal moment in 1996, he became an early and vocal proponent of electric cars after test-driving General Motors' groundbreaking EV1. This experience positioned him years ahead of the industry curve. Conversely, he was a firm critic of diesel, describing it as a "dreary, industrial form of propulsion".
He left Top Gear in 2000, later citing the BBC's "political correctness" as a reason, and the show was axed the following year. Undeterred, he helped launch Channel 5's rival programme, Fifth Gear, in 2002 alongside other former Top Gear presenters like Tiff Needell.
A Life in Fast Lane: Family and Other Pursuits
Born in Leicester on 23 July 1957, Willson was the son of academics. His father, H Bernard Willson, was a linguist and a codebreaker at Bletchley Park during the Second World War, a fact Quentin explored with pride in a later documentary.
His fascination with cars started young; he famously negotiated a car deal for his father at just nine years old. After studying English literature at Leicester University, he entered the car trade with his brother, which ultimately led to his media career.
Beyond motoring, Willson demonstrated his versatility by presenting the BBC property programme All the Right Moves and creating the international format Britain's Worst Driver. He also humorously embraced his record-breaking low score on Strictly Come Dancing in 2004, wearing it as a badge of honour.
His campaigning spirit endured through his co-founding of the FairFuelUK campaign and, later, his FairCharge communications agency, through which he lobbied for electric vehicle infrastructure. He was named Motoring Writer of the Year at the British Press Awards in 2004.
Quentin Willson is survived by his wife, Michaela, whom he married in 2000, and their three children: son, Max, and daughters, Mercedes and Mini.
