BBC Breakfast presenters paid tribute to Quentin Willson after the former Top Gear host and Strictly Come Dancing star died at the age of 68.
BBC Breakfast hosts Roger Johnson and Emma Vardy honoured former Top Gear presenter and Strictly Come Dancing contestant Quentin Willson this morning (Sunday, 9 November).
Willson, who co-presented the BBC motoring show from 1991 to 2001 before the era of Jeremy Clarkson and James May, passed away on Saturday aged 68.
His relatives announced his death in a statement, following his fight against lung cancer.
They called him a “national treasure” and “true consumer champion”, stating: “Quentin brought the joy of motoring, from combustion to electric, into our living rooms.”
The statement added: “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,” reports the Express.
Besides serving as Top Gear’s used car specialist, and working as an campaigner and electric vehicle supporter, Willson appeared on Strictly in 2004.
He created history on the programme when his Cha Cha Cha with partner Hazel Newberry received the lowest score ever awarded by judges on the show, at just eight points.
He subsequently remarked he was “very proud” of it, acknowledging his poor dancing ability and saying: “I ‘m very proud to have the lowest recorded score on Strictly Come Dancing. 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.”
BBC Breakfast presenters paid tribute to Willson this morning, with Roger stating: “Jeremy Clarkson and James May have lead tributes to the former Top Gear presenter Quentin Willson, who has died from lung cancer at the age of 68. His family said that he brought the joy of motoring into people’s living rooms.”
Reporter Graham Satchell said: “Quentin Willson’s presenting style on Top Gear was unforgettable. Direct, forthright, with a wry sense of humour.
“After Top Gear, Willson began campaigning to reduce the amount of tax that motorists paid on fuel, and then to try and make electric cars more affordable.
“He holds the ignominious record of having the lowest ever score on Strictly, 8 out of 40, his performance described as a Robin Reliant trying to make love to a Ferrari.
“Willson loved it, it was important, he said, for people in the public eye to make fun of themselves.
“The car was his first and last love, he named his daughters Mercedes and Mini.”
Satchell continued: “Tonight Quentin Willson’s family said the void he left can never be filled. His knowledge was not just learned but lived, a library of experience, now beyond our reach.”
The tributes follow heartfelt words from James May and Jeremy Clarkson, who wrote: ” 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.”
May commented on X: “Quentin Wilson gave me proper advice and encouragement during my earliest attempts at TV, back in the late 90s. I’ve never forgotten it. Great bloke.”
BBC Breakfast airs from 6am on BBC One and iPlayer.