Sue Baker, original Top Gear presenter, dies aged 67

Sue Baker, one of the original presenters of the BBC's Top Gear television show, has died aged 67 after a fight with motor neurone disease (MND).

Baker predated Top Gear's popular 2002 reboot, making her debut on the fourth season of the British motoring TV series in 1980, appearing in more than 100 episodes and departing the show in 1991.

4

For much of her time on Top Gear, Baker also helped helm the British Sunday paper, The Observer, as motoring editor from 1982 to 1995.

Elsewhere, the passionate motoring scribe helped establish and operate the Motor Racing News Service, based at Brand's Hatch in Kent, and enjoyed an enduring freelance career spanning decades.

4

More recently, after first gaining a chair at the Guild of Motoring Writers in 1978, Sue Baker was elected Guild Vice President in 2014.

"Sue was a pioneer for women in automotive journalism", reads a statement from the Guild.

Baker's family said: "It is with great sadness that we share the news of Sue's passing. A doting mother to Ian and Hannah, a loving grandmother to Tom and George, and a wonderful mother-in-law to Lucy. She passed at home this morning with family around her.

"She was a talented and 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.

4

"Thank you to everyone who has supported her over the last few years as she battled with MND."

Wheels takes this opportunity to tip its hat to a fellow motoring writer, a pioneer and a trailblazer.

Vale Sue Baker.