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.