Willson was a co-host on the BBC motoring show between 1991 and 2001, working alongside Jeremy Clarkson, before going on to present Fifth Gear on Channel 5.
He also presented “The Car’s the Star” for the BBC and the Classic Car Show on Channel 5, and worked as a motoring journalist.
He later worked as a campaigner, fronting the FairFuel campaign to lower the cost of fuel duty, and became an early advocate of electric vehicles.
I am so utterly devastated to hear that Quentin Willson has passed away. He was the architect of the Warrantywise plan and revolutionised, not just the car warranty market, but through his campaigning and journalism – made the entire UK Motor Trade a better place. He was the most… pic.twitter.com/4fPsa8NIoi
— Lawrence Whittaker (@ListerLawrence) November 8, 2025
The 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 also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2004, where his eight-point total on one dance still stands as the lowest score given by judges on the show.
