Top Gear’s The Stig is revealed

After failing to secure an injunction to keep one of the best kept secrets at the BBC under wraps, the identity of Top Gear racing driver has been revealed as stunt driver Ben Collins.

The BBC took legal action against book publishers HarperCollins over their planned release of the autobiography of ex-Formula Three racing driver and film and TV stunt driver Ben Collins.

The 33-year-old driver is the character known by millions for his role on the hit BBC2 show Top Gear, according to the publishers. However the BBC has refused to either confirm or deny that Ben Collins is indeed The Stig.

Mr Collins, who HarperCollins claim has played the role of The Stig on Top Gear for the last seven years, has appeared as a stunt driver in action films such as the recent James Bond blockbuster, The Quantum of Solace.

The former Formula three racing driver from Bristol was in court today for the hearing. It is claimed Ben Collins took over from the original Stig, Perry McCarthy, who relinquished the role in 2003 after his identity was revealed.

For years people had tried to uncover the true identity of The Stig, which is one of the best kept secrets at the BBC. High profile names such as Damon Hill and Michael Schumacher had been linked to the role previously.