Former Top Gear and Fifth Gear presenter dies aged 68

Former Top Gear presenter Quentin Willson has died aged 68 after a short illness.

Willson was a co-host on the BBC motoring show between 1991 and 2001 – working alongside the likes of Jeremy Clarkson – before going on to present Fifth Gear on Channel 5.

He later worked as a campaigner, fronting the FairFuel group calling for lower fuel duties, and became an early advocate of electric vehicles (EVs).

The Leicester-born father-of-three was described as a “true national treasure” and “true consumer champion” in a statement from his family, who said he had been diagnosed with lung cancer and died on Saturday.

“Quentin brought the joy of motoring, from combustion to electric, into our living rooms,” they said.

“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…

“Quentin will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him personally and professionally.”

The family statement also highlighted his championing of General Motors’ EV1 electric car in the 1990s, saying it proved he was “always ahead of the curve”.

They added: “More recently he had worked tirelessly to make EVs affordable for all.”

Willson was Top Gear’s used car expert, known for his wry delivery and scathing reviews.

He also presented The Car’s the Star for the BBC, The Classic Car Show on Channel 5, and worked as a motoring journalist for Classic Cars magazine and the Mirror. He was named motoring writer of the year at the British Press Awards in 2004.

Willson appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2004 where his eight-point total for one routine still stands as the lowest score given by judges on the show.

But speaking to the Independent three years later, the presenter said he was “very proud” to have recorded the score.

“Builders ran up to me to shake my hand because I failed so badly. I tried, but I was the dancing equivalent of a JCB,” he said of his Cha Cha Cha.

Presenter James May, who appeared with Willson on Top Gear in the 1990s, paid tribute to his former colleague, calling him a “great bloke”.

He wrote on X that Willson “gave me proper advice and encouragement during my earliest attempts at TV, back in the late 90s”, adding: “I’ve never forgotten it.”

AA president Edmund King said he was “devastated” by Willson’s death, calling him a “brilliant TV presenter” and an “amazing campaigner”.

“He will be missed by all.”