- Ben Collins is revealed as The Stig on the BBC's Top Gear.
- Collins' autobiography is to be published by HarperCollins.
- The High Court in London refused to grant the BBC an injunction blocking the publication of the book.
LONDON — Racing driver Ben Collins has been identified as "The Stig" after the High Court in London refused to grant the BBC an injunction blocking the publication of the Top Gear star's autobiography, according to media reports out of the U.K. on Wednesday.
Collins, who has performed as a James Bond stunt double, planned to unmask himself in a book published by HarperCollins. The BBC said "it won't confirm or deny that Ben Collins either was or remains The Stig," following the court proceedings on Wednesday. But the U.K.'s Telegraph was more forthcoming, trumpeting that "racing driver Ben Collins has been revealed as The Stig."
The Stig is famous for his white overalls and dark-visored helmet that obscures his face. The frenzy about his identity has prompted Top Gear to sell a T-shirt with the slogan "My Dad Is The Stig" on its Web site.
The BBC started legal action against HarperCollins last week, but its coverage of the court battle also had a lighthearted tone.
"Top Gear presenter James May, who was a studio guest on BBC London when High Court's decision was announced, made light of the situation," reported BBC News. "He said: 'Obviously I'm now going to have to take some legal action of my own, because I have been The Stig for the past seven years, and I don't know who this bloke is, who's mincing around in the High Court pretending it's him.'"
This isn't the first time The Stig has been outed. Racing driver Perry McCarthy outed himself in an autobiography called Flat Out, Flat Broke.
Inside Line says: It doesn't appear that there are any real losers in this "battle." — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
Add A Comment »
calspecial68 says:
08:40 PM, 09/02/2010
I think James May should be The Stig again. He's obviously up to the task. Just keep it under wraps, "Top Gear"!
jeremy_c says:
06:24 AM, 09/02/2010
It hardly matter who actually plays the Stig. The Stig is a character, much like Batman, Spiderman or James Bond. You can have more than 1 person playing the part of the Stig.
For the record, I always thought James May was the Stig. He hides his true identity with the whole Captain Slow facade.
mklrivowner says:
05:48 AM, 09/02/2010
Danica Patrick is The Stig. That's why she hasn't been performing so well in NASCAR... Jetlag.
Kawi says:
04:31 AM, 09/02/2010
I wonder if they'll go with a gray Stig next to keep the character fairly neutral.
It'll be fun to see how they decide to jettison white Stig.
eki79 says:
12:24 AM, 09/02/2010
I am the Stig! :-þ
blueguydotcom says:
10:20 PM, 09/01/2010
Okey dokey....
First Collins isn't the first Stig. Schumacher is not and has never really been The Stig. That was a gag for that silly Ferrari bit. Regardless, they'll sack him and get a new Stig. I hope this one is red (they've already had a black Stig and white Stig)
audidriver says:
09:15 PM, 09/01/2010
We already know that Racer-X from Speedracer is the real Stig.
hn4u says:
08:35 PM, 09/01/2010
Luv that show
kurticus says:
05:40 PM, 09/01/2010
Btw, I think Michael appeared in that episode simply to drive that precious Ferrari FXX. I doubt Ferrari gives those things out without considerable pause, and it was an opportunity for exposure on all sides.
kurticus says:
05:36 PM, 09/01/2010
What made The Stig such an interesting and somewhat essential character to the show was the mystery behind who he was. And because it was a secret, it added an almost comic-book appeal to him, not to mention spurred the interest of many worldwide.
Yes, we all know he was just a guy in a racing suit, but because we didn't know 'who' he was made him the whimsical go-to guy when it came to driving cars fast, carrying all the hopes and dreams of car-guys into that corner. Now, *sigh* he is/was just a guy. Sucks...