Search
Close this search box.
Ozzie News
Search
Close this search box.

Has The Stig been unmasked?

For the past seven years, the real identity of The Stig has remained a tightly-held secret, to the extent that the BBC is now pursuing legal action to prevent the Top Gear star from publishing his autobiography.

However, this defensive move by the Corporation seems to have heightened the efforts to finally reveal his identity.

Recently uncovered evidence appears to substantiate claims that the television racing driver is, in fact, Ben Collins, a 35-year-old resident of Bristol.

While Mr. Collins’ name has previously been mentioned, it is only now that corporate documents have surfaced linking him to the television role.

The financial records of Collins Autosport, the driver’s company, indicate that he forged a significant commercial relationship with Top Gear precisely when the new white-clad Stig emerged on screen, succeeding the original ‘black’ Stig.

This was attributed to ‘driving services provided for the BBC, primarily in the Top Gear programme’, as noted in the report.

The BBC’s urgency to prevent The Stig from disclosing his identity has led them to seek legal counsel.

They have cautioned him that releasing such information would violate his ‘contractual’ and ‘confidentiality’ commitments to the programme.

It is reported that the publishers representing the racing driver have retaliated with their own legal correspondence, suggesting the possibility of an embarrassing court dispute.

Concerns arise that the Corporation may ultimately dismiss the driver due to this conflict, which has reportedly distressed the show’s host, Jeremy Clarkson.

There are also indications that The Stig might contemplate resigning due to the impasse.

A BBC spokesperson stated : ‘It’s not unexpected that the accounts of Ben Collins’ company reveal he was driving for Top Gear, as he has appeared on the show as himself, notably in the Mitsubishi Evo Challenge.

‘Ben provides his services as a driver personally, and his company also offers other drivers.

‘There is nothing significant to interpret from these company documents.

‘We will not disclose who or what The Stig is.’

Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news directly in your email inbox.