Overview
- His family said he died peacefully on 8 November after a short illness with lung cancer, with funeral arrangements to be announced in due course.
- He helped define the 1990s era of Top Gear as a presenter from 1991 to 2001 before moving to Channel 5’s Fifth Gear, and created shows such as Britain’s Worst Drivers and The Car’s The Star.
- Outside broadcasting he co-founded the FairFuelUK campaign and later led FairCharge to push for more affordable electric vehicles.
- Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Tiff Needell posted public tributes, recalling his humour, mentoring and contributions to motoring journalism.
- BBC Two’s Strictly companion show It Takes Two opened with a remembrance, noting his 2004 appearance that still holds the programme’s lowest-ever score.