The BBC is taking legal action against publishers HarperCollins over their plans to release a book which will reveal the identity of Top Gear’s resident racing driver, The Stig.

The true identity of the The Stig has been a well guarded secret for years and the mystique which surrounds the hit BBC2 show’s enigmatic driver is something the corporation wants to maintain. The corporation believes revealing the Stig’s identity would ruin the enjoyment of the show for many viewers.

Now Harpercollins are threatening to lift the lid by revealing exactly who the mysteriously figure is in a forthcoming book release.

The two sides appeared in the High Court in London on Monday to battle it out. The BBC maintains that the book’s release would be a breach of confidentiality and contractual agreements, while Harpercollins “vigorously” defends its right to publish the book.

The publishers have spoken out to say they are “disappointed” the BBC has decided to “spend licence-fee payers’ money” on pursuing them through the courts.

The show’s first ever Stig was Formula One racing driver Perry McCarthy who always appeared on-screen in black overalls. McCarthy left the show in 2003 with his identity being revealed in an autobiography after he exited the programme. The new Stig took over the role in 2003 wearing white overalls and a helmet to conceal his identity.

Hollywood actor and director Mel Gibson was probably kicking himself last week after he crashed his Italian Maserati sports car into a rocky hillside in Malibu, California.

The 54-year-old was reported to have been driving alone in his car, and was not said to have been injured as a result of the smash. No other vehicles were involved in the accident.

In 2006 the Braveheart star received a conviction for drink driving, however alcohol was not to blame for last week’s incident.

There is a suggestion that the actor may have fallen asleep at the wheel. One of the officers who attended the scene said Gibson had now given a definite answer either way when asked if he may have dropped off while driving his 2008 sports car around the seaside area of Malibu.

A friend came to collect the Hollywood star as his vehicle had to be towed away. It’s not known how much damage the blue sports car sustained, and whether or not it is possible for it to be repaired.

The Highway Patrol Officer who attended the scene said the actor had been able to produce all of the necessary documents, and that he was satisfied that the crash had been a genuine accident. No charges have been made against the star.

The luxury Maserati Quattroporte would have set Gibson back an estimated £80,000 when bought new back in 2008; fingers crossed his car insurance policy is all up to date.

Craig Bellamy and Gavin Dominguez

Cars for Stars Sales Manager, Gavin Dominguez is one of the many Cardiff City fans rejoicing in the news that Welsh football captain, Craig Bellamy, will be joining the Bluebirds on loan for the rest of the season. But Gavin has more reason than most to celebrate the arrival of Bellamy at the club, as the pair are former teammates who played together during their youth.

Recounting his football days playing alongside the young Craig Bellamy, Gavin revealed it was obvious from a young age he was destined for big things in the world of sport. Sales Manager Gavin and new Cardiff City striker Craig played on the same team representing Cardiff Schools and district while growing up in the Trowbridge area of the city (pictured above). View large image.

While representing the Cardiff Schools and district on a football tour of France, Belgium and the Netherlands, Gavin recalls one game which demonstrates Craig’s immense talent and his ability to turn the fortunes of a match. After a tie at full time, the game came down to a nail-biting penalty shoot out, with the Cardiff side emerging triumphant with Bellamy scoring the winning goal to clinch the match.

As in all sports, there are highs and lows, and Cars for Stars office boss Gavin also witnessed a few lows alongside his teammate Bellamy. During one very important match the Cardiff team were playing against Deeside. One of the stars of the opposing team was a young Michael Owen, who now plays for top premiership side, Manchester United. On this occasion, the Cardiff side were robbed of their important win after a last minute goal from the Deeside team.

The entire team were heartbroken to have lost out so narrowly, and no one more so than Bellamy who even at this young age, Gavin describes as displaying a “passion for the game unlike anyone I’d ever seen.”

Like all Cardiff City supporters, Gavin and the rest of the Cars for Stars team at the Cardiff Bay office are excited to have the Welsh striker at the club, and are hoping his talent and passion will be enough to give the Bluebirds the boost they need to make the leap into the Premiership League.