Who is The Stig on Top Gear, when was Ben Collins revealed and has Chris Harris ever worn the white helmet?
THE STIG is the anonymous driver who shows everyone how’s it’s done on BBC series Top Gear. Many names have been linked to who might be hiding under the iconic white helmet, but not many revealed their secret. Where does the name come from? At original Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson’s public school Repton, all new […]
THE STIG is the anonymous driver who shows everyone how’s it’s done on BBC series Top Gear.
Many names have been linked to who might be hiding under the iconic white helmet, but not many revealed their secret.
Where does the name come from?
At original Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson’s public school Repton, all new boys were called “stig”.
Seeing as Top Gear producer Andy Wilman also went to Repton, their school in-joke became the name for this anonymous test driver.
The character was almost called the Gimp, referring to the fact he wears a suit like a BDSM role-player, but Perry McCarthy — who became the Black Stig — objected to the name.
In the original Top Gear series, the Stig test-drove cars, set lap times and trained up celebrities for segments.
What are the Stig’s duties?
In the original Top Gear series, the Stig test-drove cars, set lap times and trained up celebrities (off camera) for the Star In A Reasonably-Priced Car segment.
The fact he was a professional racing driver meant viewers could not quibble over whether he was qualified to set the bar for the presenters and guests.
When Top Gear returned with Chris Evans at the helm in 2016, new presenter Chris Harris took over as trainer for the revamped Star in the Rallycross Car segment.
Many believed Harris’ driving skills, as well as those of co-presenter Sabine Schmitz, had rendered the Stig’s role obsolete, but the rather formidable looking man in white remains on the show to this day.
When and why did Ben Collins unmask himself?
Racing driver and stunt man Ben Collins decided to come out as the Stig in 2010, and consequently lost the job after seven years doing it.
A legal battle began between the BBC and Collins’ publisher kicked off when he decided to release an autobiography called The Man in the White Suit, which apparently broke the secrecy-based terms of his employment.
He had taken over from driver Perry McCarthy in 2004, who had been the Black Stig in the first two series and quit amid claims he was unhappy with his alleged £700-a-week salary and the secrecy involved.
Collins was in turn replaced by another White Stig, and as of today nobody knows who this one is.
Who else has been linked to the Stig role?
Michael Schumacher lifted off the Stig helmet at the beginning of series thirteen to a rapturous viewer reception, but this was just a joke.
Before Collins came out as the Stig, it was reported that eight different drivers all shared the role, including Lewis Hamilton, Heikki Kovalainen, Chris Goodwin, Dan Lang and Julian Bailey.
In 2009, Bailey had already been named as a stand-in Stig by the original Black Stig, Perry McCarthy.
Many fans think one person could not possibly do everything the Stig does, particularly seeing as the driver has several relations and friends that have featured on the series, including Janet Stig Porter, Leisure Stig and Bunga-Bunga Stig.
MORE ON TOP GEAR
What time is Top Gear on BBC Two?
Traditionally, the BBC releases one series a year, with Top Gear season 32 premiering on June 5.
On October 22, 2018, it was revealed that Paddy McGuinness and Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff would be the next hosts of Top Gear.
The pair were brought in to replace the exiting Matt LeBlanc, who decided to leave the show to spend more time with his family and friends.
They are joined as presenters by current host Chris Harris.