Cliff Notes – Top Gear host, 68, dies after short illness

Quentin Willson, an original host of Top Gear, passed away at 68 following a brief illness, having contributed significantly to the show’s early success alongside Jeremy Clarkson in 1977.
Reflecting on his time on Top Gear, Willson noted the golden age of car programming, highlighting the shift in public interest and television commissioning standards regarding automotive content.
Willson recalled the thrill of filming without stringent health and safety regulations, mentioning close calls during high-speed driving segments, contrasting past practices with current safety expectations in broadcasting.

Top Gear star Quentin Willson has died aged 68 (Picture: BBC)

Quentin Willson, an original host of Top Gear, has died at the age of 68 following a short illness.

The motoring journalist fronted the BBC programme in its first series, working alongside Jeremy Clarkson in 1977, before it reached stratospheric popularity.

Last year, Willson spoke exclusively to Metro about working on Top Gear, where he also presented alongside Vicki Butler-Henderson and James May.

Reflecting on his stint on the show, he said: ‘We were very lucky to have lived through this wonderful golden age of cars and car programmes because you couldn’t make them now.

‘It wouldn’t get screened, and people aren’t as interested… or at least television commissioners aren’t as interested in cars as they were then.

‘It was a lovely time to make a TV programme about cars at a time when cars were much more socially acceptable than now.’

Willson fronted the BBC programme in 1977 alongside Jeremy Clarkson (Picture: BBC)

He further admitted to having some close calls during filming when the cars were driven ‘too fast’ and ‘had crashes’, scenes which are ‘probably not repeatable’ now. This came after Freddie Flintoff was almost killed in a horrific crash, resulting in the show being taken off air.

‘But it was a thrill ride in those days before health and safety,’ added Willson.

‘It was great to be able to go on camera and say, “I’m doing 155 miles an hour on a runway at an aerodrome”, whereas, you know, that wouldn’t happen now.

‘I mean, you know, working for the BBC, you have—there’s an expectation that you’ve got to be professional, you’ve got to be proper and accurate in what you’re saying.

‘And while there’s plenty of adrenaline from driving trials fast, you’ve also got to make sure that what you’re saying is absolutely right, factually accurate, because if you don’t, someone’s always going to write in from Eastbourne and say, you know, “Oh, I completely disagree with this,” etc.’

Despite this, Willson insisted he was the more ‘measured and sensible’ presenter out of his bunch, refusing to ‘name names’ about who was the ‘crazy one’.

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