The world of motoring television and automotive campaigning has lost one of its most vibrant voices. On Saturday, 8 November 2025, the beloved television presenter and motoring journalist Quentin Willson died, aged 68, following a brief battle with lung cancer. He died peacefully, surrounded by his family.
Born on 23 July 1957 in Leicester, Willson’s early life set the stage for a lifelong passion for cars, driving and consumer advocacy. He entered the BBC in 1991 and joined the presenting team of the original version of the programme Top Gear during a formative period for motoring television. He remained a host on that show through to 2001, helping to bring expert insights on used cars and car culture into living rooms across the UK.
From the outset, Willson struck a balance between entertaining viewers with his charisma and informing them with genuine automotive expertise. His presence on Top Gear gave the show a credible voice among car enthusiasts and everyday drivers alike, and his partnership with co-hosts and his own segments helped build a bridge between motoring journalism and mainstream television.
After his tenure on Top Gear ended, Willson moved on to other major motoring shows. He co-presented Fifth Gear on Channel 5 and also created and led shows such as Britain’s Worst Drivers and The Car’s the Star. These programmes allowed him to explore different facets of motoring—combining his expertise with entertainment, public service and advocacy.
His trajectory shows a man unwilling to rest on past success. Whereas some presenters might have stayed in one niche, Willson continually sought new ways to engage the public with driving, cars, safety and consumer rights. His writing was also prolific: he contributed to newspapers and motoring magazines, sharing his knowledge with a broader public beyond the screen.
Willson’s legacy extends well beyond television. He became a prominent consumer advocate, launching and championing campaigns to protect motorists’ interests. Among his most notable efforts was the FairFuel campaign, which challenged high fuel duty and other costs borne by drivers. Later, recognising the shift in automotive technology, he devoted himself to the cause of making electric vehicles accessible, championing the FairCharge initiative and advocating for affordable and sustainable driving for everyone.
In an era when many in the motoring world were slow to embrace electric vehicles, Willson was ahead of the curve. He championed early EV models, raised questions about vehicle taxation, regulation and consumer fairness, and used his platform to advocate both for drivers and for environmental progress. His work thereby straddled the worlds of consumer protection, broadcast media and sustainable transport.
Behind the media persona was a husband, father, grandfather and friend whose generosity, humour and humanity were often remarked upon by colleagues. Willson married Michaela in 1991 and was father to children Mercedes, Max and Mini; he also had grandchildren Saskia, Xander and Roxana. His family statement described him as “a true national treasure… his knowledge was not just learnt but lived; a library of experience now beyond our reach.” On all fronts, he was someone who blended professional excellence with personal warmth.
Though perhaps best known for his motoring work, Willson also appeared on the second series of the BBC’s dance competition Strictly Come Dancing in 2004—a cameo that became something of a pop-culture footnote when he earned what remains the lowest score in the show’s history. It evidenced his willingness to step outside his comfort zone, have a go, and engage with audiences beyond his primary field.
The impact of Willson’s career is wide-ranging. On one level, he helped shape the way motoring is seen on television in the UK: accessible, informative, entertaining, and credible. His stint on Top Gear and subsequent shows influenced a generation of viewers and presenters alike. On another level, his campaigning work helped bring real change: by arguing for fairer fuel duty, highlighting the cost burdens on motorists and advocating for new vehicle technologies, he played a part in the evolving landscape of UK motoring policy and public awareness.
Tributes from across the motoring world poured in. Fellow presenter Jeremy Clarkson remarked simply: “We had some laughs over the years. Properly funny man.” James May spoke of Willson’s encouragement during his own early television career. The camaraderie, respect and gratitude expressed by his peers testify to the fact that Willson was not only influential, but also well regarded and well loved.
What set Quentin Willson apart as a presenter was his combination of enthusiasm, technical knowledge and relatability. He had an ability to talk to the everyday driver while still catering to the enthusiast. He could discuss the complexities of vehicle warranties, maintenance costs, tax, used car value and emerging electric vehicle trends—and he could do so without losing a general audience. His segments often had a “what this means for you” angle, helping demystify motoring for viewers.
Furthermore, he brought a sense of fun and authenticity to his broadcasting. Whether reviewing a family car or commenting on a performance model, he brought clarity and conviction. His voice carried weight because he had experience in the trade—not just as a commentator, but as someone who understood the market, the economics and the engineering. That grounded perspective earned him trust.
Quentin Willson’s advocacy was particularly significant at a time when the motoring landscape was undergoing rapid change. The traditional internal-combustion era has been giving way to electrification, new mobility models and evolving consumer expectations. Willson recognised this early. His focus on making electric vehicles more affordable, his push for fair taxation and his willingness to call out outdated policy or market structures show that his role as a broadcaster extended into thought-leadership.
He helped articulate the concerns of motorists facing uncertainty: how will the shift to electric work, what about charging infrastructure, what about cost, what about used car markets. In this regard, his voice was one of the bridge between old and new motoring eras, and his loss removes an influential advocate at a time when transition demands informed voices.
The brevity of Willson’s illness underscores how sudden the departure of such a familiar face can be. As the family requested, funeral arrangements will be announced in due course and privacy respected. But already, the outpouring of memories—both from viewers and industry colleagues—speaks to the deep impression he made.
For countless viewers, motoring aficionados and everyday drivers alike, Quentin Willson represented more than just a TV presenter: he was a trusted guide in an often bewildering world of cars, regulations and change. His passing leaves a gap—not just in media, but in the community of people who care about mobility, fairness and the joy of driving.
In remembering Quentin Willson, there are lessons and legacies. Aspiring broadcasters can look to his mix of expertise, accessibility and enthusiasm. Advocates for motorists and transport policy can look to his example of using media to effect change. And the private individual behind the screen reminds us that influence and kindness need not be separate.
As motoring journalism and public discourse continue to evolve, the voice of Quentin Willson will be missed. But the ideas he championed—fair cost for drivers, the shift to electric mobility, the importance of transparency and consumer rights—remain alive and urgent. It is fitting to honour him by continuing the conversations he helped start.
Quentin Willson’s career spanned decades, formats and themes—but at its core it was about connecting people with the world of mobility: whether that meant choosing their next car, understanding costs, embracing new technology or simply appreciating the thrill of driving. His departure on 8 November 2025 marks the end of a chapter, but his influence will continue to drive the conversations around cars and mobility. He will be deeply missed — by his family, by his fellow professionals, and by all of us who turned to his programmes to make sense of motoring life.