Sue Baker, Original Top Gear Presenter, Has Passed Away After Battle With Motor Neurone Disease
Sue Baker, one of the original Top Gear presenters and a beloved part of the motoring industry, has passed away today, November 14th at the age of 67. The news was announced by the Guild of Motoring Writers, who posted to Twitter on behalf of the family.
We are deeply saddened to learn our vice-president and former chair, @carscribe Sue Baker, passed away this morning following a long illness. Sue was a pioneer for women in automotive journalism and a former presenter of @BBC_TopGear. A full tribute will be published later. pic.twitter.com/pmEk88joOl
— The GoMW (@gomw_uk) November 14, 2022
“We are deeply saddened to learn our vice-president and former chair,” they posted.
Sue Baker, passed away this morning following a long illness. Sue was a pioneer for women in automotive journalism and a former presenter of Top Gear.
“A full tribute will be published later.”
Sue Baker joined Top Gear in 1980 and presented alongside the likes of Jeremy Clarkson. Tiff Needell, and now executive producer of The Grand Tour, Andy Wilman. She would, in total, appear in 107 episodes of the show and has since become fully ingrained in its history. After leaving in 1991, she continued her work as a motoring journalist and was highly thought of by all of her peers.
Tyler Heatley posted the following tribute to Twitter:
“Sue was a real mentor to me when I started my career. She gave me so much good advice and we always had a laugh on launches. Her passing is incredibly sad and our industry has lost a true legend. RIP Sue Baker x”
Sue Baker’s official Twitter account posted the following:
It is with sadness that Sue’s family shares this news. Thank you to everyone sharing memories, we are taking solice in them. pic.twitter.com/CvjxuU8uQO
— Sue Baker (@carscribe) November 14, 2022
The statement reads:
“It is with great sadness, that we share the news os Sue’s passing. A doting mother to Ian & Hannah, a loving grandmother to Tom & George, and a wonderful mother-in-law to Lucy. She passed at home this morning with family around her.
“She was a talented & prolific writer, a charismatic TV presenter, and a passionate animal lover. She had a life and career that many would envy, but did it all with such grace that she was admired and respected by all who knew her. We know she meant so much to so many.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported her over the last few years as she battled with MND.”
