The motoring world is mourning the loss of Quentin Willson, the acclaimed broadcaster, journalist, and consumer champion, who died peacefully on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the age of 68. Surrounded by his family after a short but courageous battle with lung cancer, Willson leaves behind a legacy that stretches from the golden age of BBC’s Top Gear to the front lines of consumer advocacy campaigns. His death was confirmed by his family in a heartfelt statement, describing him as a “true national treasure” who “brought the joy of motoring, from combustion to electric, into our living rooms,” according to The Independent and Daily Mail.
Willson’s name became synonymous with motoring television in the 1990s when he joined the original lineup of Top Gear in 1991. For a decade, he served as the show’s resident used car expert, working alongside Jeremy Clarkson and helping to transform the program into a global phenomenon. The chemistry between Willson, Clarkson, and other co-hosts like Tiff Needell and James May was part of what made the show a must-watch for car enthusiasts across the UK and beyond. As The Telegraph noted, Willson’s ability to make cars “feel like characters in a story, not just metal and engine,” set him apart in the world of motoring journalism.
After Top Gear’s initial cancellation in 2001, Willson didn’t slow down. He moved to Channel 5, where he fronted the rival motoring show Fifth Gear, bringing his signature wit and depth of knowledge to a new audience. But his influence extended far beyond the studio set. Willson created and presented other popular programs, including Britain’s Worst Drivers and The Car’s The Star, both of which explored the lighter side of motoring and showcased his knack for storytelling and humor.
Tributes poured in from former colleagues and friends as news of his passing spread. Jeremy Clarkson took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a poignant message, posting a photograph of himself, Willson, and Needell, and writing: “I’m far away so I’ve only just heard that Quentin Willson has died. We had some laughs over the years. Properly funny man.” For Clarkson, “properly funny man” was, in his words, “literally the highest accolade you can bestow on someone.” James May, another Top Gear alumnus, called Willson a “great bloke” and credited him with providing “proper advice and encouragement” early in his own television career. Tiff Needell, reflecting on their shared adventures, wrote: “Oh Quentin how can you leave us so soon. So many memories of the Top Gear we built in the nineties that I wanted to remember with you again.”
Willson’s television career was not without its lighter moments. In 2004, he appeared on Strictly Come Dancing with professional partner Hazel Newberry. Their performance earned a total of just eight points out of 40—the lowest score in the show’s history, a record which still stands. Yet Willson embraced the experience with characteristic good humor, telling Metro last year, “It’s really important for people in the public eye to make fun of themselves and to be made fun of.”
Beyond entertainment, Willson was a fierce advocate for motorists and consumers. He led the FairFuel campaign, a movement that successfully lobbied against fuel duty increases and, according to his family, prevented over £100 billion in additional taxation for UK drivers. “Through his FairFuel campaign, Quentin saved UK consumers a fortune by helping to freeze fuel duty,” his family wrote in their tribute, as reported by The Independent. Willson’s efforts on behalf of ordinary motorists earned him widespread respect and cemented his reputation as a “consumer champion.”
Willson was also ahead of his time when it came to electric vehicles. Long before EVs were mainstream, he championed the GM EV1, recognizing the potential of electric motoring to transform the industry. More recently, he fronted the FairCharge campaign, working “tirelessly to make EVs affordable for all,” as his family noted. Ginny Buckley, chief executive of Electrifying.com, praised Willson’s commitment: “He brought the joy of motoring—from petrol to plug—into our homes and hearts, and will be greatly missed.”
His influence extended into print as well. Willson wrote weekly columns for The Mirror and Sunday Mirror for 15 years, contributed to Classic Cars Magazine for nearly a decade, and was named Motoring Writer of the Year at the British Press Awards in 2004. He was a patron of the Hydrogen Trust and served as a Bafta film judge, further reflecting his broad interests and deep expertise.
Willson’s family, in their statement, captured the sense of loss felt by many: “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.” He is survived by his wife Michaela, his children Mercedes, Max, and Mini, and his grandchildren Saskia, Xander, and Roxana. The family has requested privacy during this difficult time and indicated that details of funeral arrangements will be shared in due course.
As tributes continue to flow from across the motoring world and beyond, it’s clear that Quentin Willson’s impact was profound and far-reaching. He made cars accessible, fun, and even a little bit glamorous for generations of viewers, all while fighting for the rights of ordinary drivers and championing the future of green motoring. His legacy is not just in the shows he created or the campaigns he led, but in the countless lives he touched—on screen and off. The road ahead for motoring journalism and consumer advocacy will feel emptier without him, but the mark he left is indelible.
