Fleur East fronting It Takes Two

View 3 Images

Fleur East delivered some sad news on Strictly: It Takes Two tonight(Image: BBC)

Strictly Come Dancing’s Fleur East has paid tribute to one of the show’s former contestant after he tragically died. The TV star was fronting the BBC hit’s spin-off It Takes Two on Monday night when she stopped the programme to pay respects to Quentin Willson, who danced on Strictly in its second series back in 2004.

It was announced over the weekend that former Top Gear host Quentin has died aged 68. In the months leading up to his death he had been battling lung cancer, and colleagues Jeremy Clarkson and James May were among those to pay tribute to his wit and generosity.

What many may have forgotten is that Quentin held the title of Strictly Come Dancing’s lowest-ever score, achieving eight out of a possible 40 in his opening dance with Hazel Newbury, where he performed with a motoring L-plate on his back. Perhaps unsurprisingly they were the first to leave the contest that year.

Quentin Willson dancing on Strictly shown on a large screen

View 3 Images

Strictly aired footage of Quentin dancing on the show

While video of Quentin and Hazel dancing was shown on screen, Fleur told It Takes Two viewers tonight: “Before we carry on with the show, we’d just like to pay our respects to Strictly alumni Quentin Willson, who sadly passed away at the weekend.

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info

“He danced back in series two with Hazel Newbury, and we’re sending our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”

In a moving statement released on Saturday, the family called Birmingham-born Quentin, who was a Sunday Mirror columnist and prolific motoring writer, a “true national treasure”.

It read: “The family of Quentin Willson, television presenter and producer, motoring journalist, author, and campaigner, wish to announce that he passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday 8th November, following a short battle with lung cancer. He was 68.

Quentin Willson

View 3 Images

Quentin Willson appeared on Top Gear, Fifth Gear and countless other motoring shows(Image: Getty Images for Jameson)

“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.”

Quentin and Jeremy Clarkson fronted the original run of Top Gear in the early 90s but also hosted a range of other motoring shows, among them Fifth Gear, The Car’s The Star and Britain’s Worst Driver.