Jeremy Clarkson has shared a moving tribute to his former Top Gear co-star Quentin Willson following his death aged 68.
Former Top Gear and Fifth Gear presenter Quentin passed away on Saturday following a short battle with lung cancer, his family said in a heartbreaking tribute.
During his time on the programme, he worked alongside Jeremy Clarkson, Vicki Butler-Henderson, James May and Tiff Needell.
Sharing his own tribute on social media, posting a picture of himself and Quentin alongside their co-host Tiff.
He captioned the snap on Instagram: ‘And then there were two. Sad day.’
Jeremy also wrote on X on Saturday evening: ‘I’m far away so I’ve only just heard that Quentin Willson has died.
Jeremy Clarkson has shared a moving tribute to his former Top Gear co-star Quentin Willson following his death aged 68 (Jeremy and Quentin seen top left)
Sharing his own tribute on social media, posting a picture of himself and Quentin alongside their co-host Tiff Needell
‘We had some laughs over the years. Properly funny man.’
Announcing Quentin’s death, his family described him as a ‘true national treasure’, who ‘brought the joy of motoring, from combustion to electric, into our living rooms’.
Quentin was one of Top Gear’s original stars and was the show’s used car expert for a decade from 1991.
After leaving Top Gear in 2001, Quentin went on to front Channel 5’s rival motoring show Fifth Gear and also worked as a motoring journalist.
He appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2004, where his total for one dance still stands as the lowest score given by judges on the show.
He and his professional dance partner Hazel Newberry were awarded eight points out of 40, with the judges giving them scores of two ones and two threes.
Despite the harsh comments, reflecting on that time in an interview with Metro last year, Quentin revealed he still doesn’t regret signing up to the show.
He told the publication that he believes it’s ‘really important for people in the public eye to make fun of themselves and to be made fun of’.
Former Top Gear and Fifth Gear presenter Quentin passed away on Saturday following a short battle with lung cancer , his family said in a heartbreaking tribute (Quentin seen in 2015)
Jeremy also wrote on X on Saturday evening: ‘I’m far away so I’ve only just heard that Quentin Willson has died’
Announcing his death today, Quentin’s family said that he passed away ‘peacefully surrounded by his family’.
The statement read: ‘A true national treasure, Quentin brought the joy of motoring, from combustion to electric, into our living rooms.
‘He helped shape the original Top Gear as one of its first hosts, working alongside Jeremy Clarkson and the team who took the pioneering show global.
‘He went on to front Fifth Gear and still holds the dubious honour of Strictly Come Dancing’s lowest score in history.’
Quentin also created and presented the shows Britain’s Worst Drivers and The Car’s The Star.
In his later life, he worked as a campaigner, fronting the FairFuel campaign to lower the cost of fuel duty. He was also an early advocate for electric cars.
‘Through his FairFuel campaign, Quentin saved UK consumers a fortune by helping to freeze fuel duty,’ the statement continued.
‘Over £100 billion in fresh taxation was prevented by the campaign, a real consumer win by a true consumer champion.
Quentin later went on to front Channel 5’s rival motoring show Fifth Gear and also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing (pictured with his partner Hazel Newberry)
‘He also created and presented much-loved programmes such as Britain’s Worst Drivers and The Cars the Star.
‘Long before it was fashionable, he championed the GM EV1 and the promise of electric cars, proving he was always ahead of the curve.
‘More recently he had worked tirelessly to make EVs affordable for all, via his FairCharge campaign.
‘Much-loved husband to Michaela, devoted father to Mercedes, Max and Mini, and cherished grandfather to Saskia, Xander & Roxana.
‘Quentin will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him personally and professionally.’
