The Identity of the Stig is Revealed

3 Sep 2010

After eight years the identity of the Stig has finally been revealed – he is Formula Three driver Ben Collins.

The anonymous Top Gear driver had been hidden behind a white helmet and overalls and his identity was said to be only known by six people including the show’s presenters.

However, his identity was revealed by a high court judge – the court threw out a request by the BBC to ban the publication of Collin’s autobiography.

The book, called The Man in the White Suit, claims Mr Collins is the mystery driver on the BBC Two show.

The BBC started the proceedings against HarperCollins last week as they attempted to stop his identity being revealed.

A spokesman for the BBC said: "The Top Gear audience has always made it clear they enjoyed the mystery around the identity of The Stig. The BBC felt it important to protect that anonymity.
"Today's judgment does not prevent the BBC from pursuing this matter to trial and it will not be deterred from protecting such information from attack no matter when or by whom it should arise."

While HarperCollins communications director Siobhan Kenny said: "This is a victory for freedom of speech. Ben Collins has a great story to tell about his seven years as The Stig which will appeal to a wide audience beyond the world of motoring enthusiasts. The book will be published on September 16."


Collins is not the first driver to play the Stig Perry McCarthy, who was known as the ‘black’ Stig because of his black overalls, was dropped in 2003 after his identity was uncovered in an autobiography called Flat Out, Flat Broke and was dropped by the BBC.

Following the unveiling of the Stig, William Hill have opened a book on who the next Stig will be and make BBC radio 5live commentator, Anthony Davis the hot favourite at 4/1 with Nigel Mansell 10/1 and Schumacher a 100/1 shot. They have odds of 9/2 on Damon Hill, 9/2 on Russ Swift, 5/1 for David Coultard, 7/1 on Mark Webber, 66/1 for  Lewis Hamilton, 66/1 for Jenson Button.  

Ben Collins book is also a 12/1 shot to be the Christmas number one book.