Motoring World Mourns Loss of Top Gear Icon
The motoring and broadcasting communities are in mourning following the announcement that Quentin Willson, the esteemed former presenter of BBC's Top Gear, has died at the age of 68.
His family confirmed the heartbreaking news, revealing he passed away after a brief battle with lung cancer.
A Storied Career on Screen and in Print
Born in Birmingham in 1957, Willson's career as a motoring journalist and broadcaster made him a familiar face in British households. He first joined the BBC in 1991, co-hosting the original version of Top Gear alongside Jeremy Clarkson.
He became a weekly fixture on the programme for a decade, until its original format ended in 2001, where he was particularly renowned for his expert knowledge on the used car market.
Following his departure from the BBC, Willson made the switch to Channel 5's rival show, Fifth Gear, in 2001.
His career, however, extended far beyond these flagship programmes. For decades, he penned popular motoring columns for national newspapers and magazines and authored numerous books on cars and buying guides.
His other television credits included presenting Britain's Worst Driver, The Car's the Star, All-Revved Up, and even property-focused programmes like Property Ladder.
Champion for Motorists and Automotive Heritage
Beyond his work in journalism and entertainment, Quentin Willson established himself as a powerful voice for motorists' rights. In 2010, he co-founded the pressure group FairFuelUK.
The organisation has been a prominent campaigner, lobbying the government for lower fuel duty and greater transparency in fuel pricing. Willson was a frequent commentator on radio and television, discussing critical issues such as motoring taxation, road safety, and transport policy.
His passion for cars also extended into business and heritage. He ran a successful classic-car consultancy and was actively involved in the heritage car sector, dedicating efforts to promoting British automotive history.
The news of his passing, first reported by his family, has prompted an outpouring of grief from colleagues, fans, and all those whose lives he touched through his work on and off the screen.
