BBC Breakfast presenter pays devastating tribute to Strictly Come Dancing star

BBC Breakfast presenters Roger Johnson and Emma Vardy paid tribute to former Top Gear host and Strictly Come Dancing star Quentin Willson this morning (Sunday, 9 November).

Willson, who was a co-host on the BBC motoring programme from 1991 to 2001 before the likes of Jeremy Clarkson and James May, died on Saturday at the age of 68.

His family shared the news of his death in a statement, after his battle with lung cancer.

They described him as a "national treasure" and "true consumer champion", adding: "Quentin brought the joy of motoring, from combustion to electric, into our living rooms."

The statement continued: "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."

As well as being Top Gear's used car expert, and a campaigner and electric vehicle advocate, Willson was a contestant on Strictly in 2004.

He made history on the show with his Cha Cha Cha with partner Hazel Newberry becoming the lowest score given by judges on the show, at just eight points.

He later said he was "very proud" of it, admitting he is bad at dancing and adding: "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."

During BBC Breakfast today, the presenters paid tribute to Willson, as Roger began: "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."

Graham Satchell then reported: "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 added: "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."

This comes after tributes from James May and Jeremy Clarkson, who said: " 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 added 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.