Emily Brown
Former Top Gear presenter Sue Baker has passed away at the age of 75 after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
Baker first appeared on the fourth series of the BBC car show in 1980, when she began presenting alongside co-hosts including Frank Page and William Woollard.
She appeared on more than 100 episodes of the original format of the show before leaving in 1991, after which she was replaced by Jeremy Clarkson.
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Baker passed away on Monday morning (14 November). Her family shared the news in a statement, saying: "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 & 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."
Baker's family went on to thank those who have supported her over the last few years as she battled with Motor Neurone Disease; a condition which affects the brain and nerves.
As well as appearing on Top Gear, Baker's career also saw her set up and run the Motor Racing News Service, based at motor racing track Brands Hatch in Kent, and work as the Observer's motoring editor for 13 years.
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Geraldine Herbert, who works as motoring editor for the Sunday Independent in Ireland, was among those paying tribute to the journalist as she said she was 'deeply saddened' to hear the news of Baker's passing.
"She was a wonderful person, a brilliant journalist, and a dear friend. A former Top Gear presenter and motoring editor at the Observer, she blazed a trail for women in a man’s world," she wrote.
The Guild of Motoring Writers also shared a short statement on Twitter with the promise that 'a full tribute will be published later', writing: "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."
Other fans described Baker as a 'terrific friend', as well as 'welcoming' and 'approachable'.