Quentin Willson, who was one of many first hosts on the hit BBC motoring present, died “peacefully surrounded by his household” on Saturday November 8, an announcement from his household mentioned
Motoring legend Jeremy Clarkson has led tributes to fellow broadcaster Quentin Willson, who has handed away on the age of 68 following a short combat with lung most cancers.
Tv personalities James Could and Tiff Needell, who each labored alongside Willson on the BBC’s iconic motoring programme, have additionally shared their condolences. The famend tv host and automotive journalist died “peacefully surrounded by his household” on Saturday, November 8, in line with a household assertion.
Clarkson expressed his sorrow in a message on X, writing: “I am distant so I’ve solely simply heard that Quentin Willson has died. We had some laughs over time. Correctly humorous man.” However one X consumer blasted Jeremy for his tribute saying : “Not precisely a heartfelt ringing endorsement.”
READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson points emotional Prime Gear assertion honouring his longtime pal
READ MORE: BBC Prime Gear presenter dies aged 68 as household pay tribute
Jeremy clapped again and responded: ““Correctly humorous man” is actually the best accolade you may bestow on somebody.”
Ex-racing driver and presenter on Prime Gear and Fifth Gear, Needell, mentioned: “Oh Quentin how will you go away us so quickly. So many recollections of the @BBC_TopGear we constructed within the nineties that I wished to recollect with you once more. Please add the movie of me with him and Jeremy within the Ford Puma that so splendidly shows the instances we had collectively… RIP Q”.
Could, in the meantime, revealed that Willson provided him “correct recommendation and encouragement” while he was making an attempt to determine himself within the tv world through the Nineteen Nineties, describing him as a “nice bloke”.
Willson was amongst the unique presenters of the massively common BBC motoring programme, showing alongside Clarkson and internet hosting the present from 1991 via to 2001, earlier than shifting on to entrance Channel 5’s Fifth Gear.
He additionally developed and fronted quite a few automotive programmes, together with Britain’s Worst Drivers and BBC Two’s The Automotive’s The Star. A household assertion learn: “A real nationwide treasure, Quentin introduced the enjoyment of motoring, from combustion to electrical, into our dwelling rooms.
“A lot-loved husband to Michaela, devoted father to Mercedes, Max and Mini, and cherished grandfather to Saskia, Xander & Roxana. Quentin will likely be deeply missed by his household, associates, and all who knew him personally and professionally.
“The void he has left can by no means be stuffed. His information was not simply realized however lived; a library of expertise now past our attain.”
The broadcaster was a passionate shopper champion, spearheading quite a few campaigns together with his FairFuel initiative which helped freeze gas obligation, and dealing relentlessly to make electrical autos extra reasonably priced via his FairCharge marketing campaign.
The assertion continued: “Lengthy earlier than it was trendy, he championed the GM EV1 and the promise of electrical automobiles, proving he was at all times forward of the curve.”
Willson penned weekly columns for The Mirror and Sunday Mirror for 15 years and contributed to Basic Automobiles Journal for 9 years. He was topped motoring author of the 12 months on the British Press Awards in 2004, while working for the Sunday Mirror.
That very same 12 months the presenter made headlines after scoring simply eight factors on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing for his cha cha cha with skilled accomplice Hazel Newberry. It stays the bottom rating within the programme’s historical past. Ginny Buckley, chief govt of EV recommendation website Electrifying.com, additionally paid tribute, describing Willson as a “true nationwide treasure”.
“I used to be fortunate to get to know him lately via his glorious work with FairCharge, the place his ardour for making electrical autos accessible to all actually shone via,” she mentioned.
“He was heat, beneficiant together with his information and unfailingly variety. He introduced the enjoyment of motoring – from petrol to plug – into our properties and hearts, and will likely be enormously missed.”
Willson served as a patron of the Hydrogen Belief and was additionally a Bafta movie choose. His household have requested privateness and confirmed funeral preparations will likely be revealed in the end.
For extra of the most recent showbiz information and gossip, observe Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Fb, YouTubeand Threads.
