Sue Baker dies soon after battle with motor neurone ailment

Sue Baker, just one of the original Best Gear presenters, has died right after a struggle with motor neurone illness – with wellwishers paying out tribute to her for ‘blazing a trail’ for women in the environment of racing. 

Baker, who joined the BBC series in 1980 when it was in its old structure, died on Monday surrounded by her loved ones, her spokesman explained. 

She appeared in 22 series of the exhibit from 1980, when it was mainly anxious with examining new autos and providing street safety and purchaser advice. Her position was sooner or later supplanted by Jeremy Clarkson. 

The journalist’s spokesman mentioned: ‘She died at household this morning with family all-around her. Sue was a gifted and prolific author, a charismatic Television set presenter and a passionate animal lover.’

Meanwhile, a family statement go through: ‘It is with great disappointment, 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 amazing mom-in-law to Lucy. She handed at dwelling this morning with household all around her.

‘She was a gifted and prolific writer, a charismatic Television presenter, and a passionate animal lover. She had a everyday living and job that a lot of would envy, but did it all with these kinds of grace that she was admired and revered by all who realized her. 

‘We know she meant so a great deal to so a lot of. Thank you to everyone who has supported her more than the final handful of several years as she battled with MND.’ 

Sue Baker (pictured), just one of the first Best Equipment presenters when the BBC display would essentially evaluation new vehicles, has died just after a battle with motor neurone sickness

‘She died at property this morning with relatives all over her,’ confirms a spokesman for the journalist, who blazed a trail for women in motoring (pictured in 1974)

Following leaving Best Gera in 1991, Baker ongoing her job as a motoring journalist. 

She established up and ran the Motor Racing News Company, primarily based at Brands Hatch in Kent, and was the Observer’s motoring editor for 13 many years, leaving in 1999. She also experienced a stint as a freelancer for Saga magazine. 

Tributes have poured in from other journalists, who praised Baker for ‘blazing a trail for women’. 

Geraldine Herbert, motoring editor for the Sunday Independent in Ireland, tweeted: ‘I am deeply saddened to hear of the dying of Sue Baker. 

‘She was a great particular person, a fantastic journalist, and a expensive mate. 

‘A previous Top rated Gear presenter and motoring editor at the Observer, she blazed a trail for women in a man’s earth.’ 

The Guild of Motoring Writers said: ‘We are deeply saddened to understand our vice-president and former chair, @carscribe Sue Baker, passed away this early morning following a very long health issues.

‘Sue was a pioneer for women in automotive journalism and a former presenter of @BBC_TopGear. A complete tribute will be released later on.’ 

Motoring journalist Alex Grant said: ‘Sue was an absolute enjoyment on functions, and so welcoming and approachable as an business beginner. 

‘My condolences to her relatives, she will be sorely skipped.’ 

Writer Matt Bishop described Baker as a ‘pioneer’.

He said: ‘This is pretty sad. Sue Baker was a pioneer amid motoring journalists who was incredibly pleasant to me when I was a newcomer on car or truck launches & the like.’   

Sharing news of her loss of life, Baker’s family members called her ‘a proficient and prolific writer, a charismatic Television presenter, and a passionate animal lover’. She is observed in 2018

Baker at Models Hatch with Niki Lauda when she was a motoring correspondent for a newspaper 

Baker’s  friend, Giles Chapman, said: ‘I should echo many others on below nowadays in paying out tribute to Sue Baker who unfortunately died nowadays. 

‘Proper previous school journo nonetheless often kind and generous to colleagues, primarily newcomers. A scarce trait in fact.’

He added that Ms Baker ‘should be hailed as a feminist icon – the to start with female to turn into a Fleet Road pro in motor vehicle journalism’ at the Observer.

Baker (pictured with Tony Frost in 1972) appeared in 22 series of the clearly show from 1980, with her part eventually supplanted by motormouth Jeremy Clarkson

Baker’s loved ones thanked anyone who experienced supported her as she battled motor neurone disease