PAT RIARC

The identity of The Stig who appears on the BBC 2 show Top Gear has reportedly been revealed as Ben Collins. The Stig who is famous for never taking his helmet off and keeping his identity a secret, frequently appears on the show to test drive cars.

The Daily Mail reported that The Stig is currently battling with the BBC over plans for an autobiography which would reveal who he really is.

There is also evidence in Ben Collins company accounts which suggests that he is in fact The Stig. Collins company accounts ‘Collins Autosport’, show that in 2003 he set up a deal with Top Gear stating “long-term prospects for continuing income”.

Ben Collins is a former racing driver and was the stunt double for Daniel Craig in the Quantum of Solace so it appears very likely that Collins is the famous masked driver. When asked if he was The Stig, Ben Collins refused to answer any questions and said: “I can’t speak to you. I’m going into a tunnel”.

For seven years, only a small amount of people including BBC executives and the presenters of Top Gear Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May knew who the current and also second Stig of the show was. The identity of The first Stig also known as The Black Stig was revealed in 2003 as stunt driver Perry McCarthy. He was dropped from the show and replaced with The White Stig believed to be Ben Collins.

The show was faced with more controversy last year when The Stig made an appearance on Top Gear and removed his helmet. Underneath the helmet was none other than the Formula 1 champion driver Michael Schumacher.

The BBC show did not state whether Michael Schumacher was in fact The Stig however it is thought that it was just a media stunt. The stunt is also the reason that many viewers believe that there are several ‘Stig’s’ and not just one.

Whether or not The Stig is Ben Collins, a spokesperson for the BBC said: “We won’t be saying who or what The Stig is”.