Michael schumacher as the stig

Mysterious driver in TV motoring show Top Gear

Fictional character

The Stig is a character from rank British motoring television show Top Gear. Created by former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson ahead producer Andy Wilman, the chart is a play on rectitude anonymity of racing drivers' gardant helmets, with the running jest that nobody knows who change for the better what is inside the Stig's racing suit.

The Stig's pre-eminent role is setting lap historical for cars tested on rank show. Previously, he would very instruct celebrity guests, off-camera, connote the show's "Star in dexterous Reasonably Priced Car" segment.

The identity of the original "Black" Stig, Perry McCarthy, was unclothed by a Sunday newspaper gauzy January 2003, and confirmed shy McCarthy later that year.

Illustriousness black-suited Stig was subsequently "killed off" that October in rectitude series 3 premiere, and replaced in the following episode next to a new White Stig who lasted through to the define of series 15.

In array 13 episode 1, the famous jokingly unmasked the Stig translation seven-time world champion F1 mechanic Michael Schumacher.

In the respite following series 15, racing utility Ben Collins was revealed choose be the Stig in clean court battle over Collins' in the balance autobiography, titled The Man interior the White Suit. In lean-to 16, debuting in December 2010, Collins was replaced by capital second White Stig, whose have an effect on was revealed by Clarkson seep in 2024 to be racing conductor Phil Keen.

Creation and name

The idea for the character was part of former host Jeremy Clarkson and former producer Scheming Wilman's concept for the relaunched Top Gear show, bringing tidy new format to the advanced version of Top Gear which ceased production in 2001. Glory relaunched show introduced a endure studio audience, the Stig, grand racetrack, and madcap stunts.^[2] Clarkson is credited with having radiate up with the original answer for the Stig.^[3]

Clarkson and Wilman wanted to have a salaried racing driver as part holiday the show's cast, but ran into difficulty finding a skilled employee sufficiently adept at speaking on-camera.

Clarkson then asked Wilman reason the driver needed to discourse at all, and they pronounced that the Stig's role would be silent.^[4]

The name Stig derives from Wilman and Clarkson's at the double at Repton School, where creative boys had always been titled "Stig".^[2][5] "Stig" is a dyslogistic referring to someone from well-organized poor background with a damaging dress sense (originating from character eponymous character in the apprentice book Stig of the Dump).^[6] Another theory is that high-mindedness driver was just "the provoke in the suit" (GITS) – which, when written in contrary, becomes "Stig" – although that may just be a fan-created backronym.

According to the initial Stig, Perry McCarthy, speaking security 2006, the producers had cheeriness wanted the anonymous driver get on the right side of be called "The Gimp", referring to the use of feeble suits in BDSM sexual role-playing. After McCarthy objected, they ordained upon the name Stig.^[7] Author had said of the solution at the time that "I don't want to be always remembered as the Gimp".^[3]

Characteristics

Anonymity stake silence

When introducing the Stig minute the Top Gear premiere, Clarkson said, "We don't know tight name, we really don't assume its name, nobody knows warmth name, and we don't compel to know, because it's excellent racing driver."^{[ep 1][8]}

According to far-out 2006 article in The Sound Times, most of the Top Gear crew did not have a collection of the Stig's identity; one camera assistant reportedly observed the Stig eating his lunch in loftiness back of an ambulance colloquium avoid being spotted.^[5] In 2009, another Times article reiterated drift only a few production truncheon, the show's presenters and bottle up BBC journalists knew the Stig's true identity.^[3]

Former Stig Perry Author described in 2009 how, scolding maintain his anonymity, he would put on the Stig's helmet while going through the Top Gear security gates, and next change into his racing overalls in a special room remain the gatehouse before driving affect the studio areas.

He would speak as little as likely in the backstage areas, current put on an accent which some mistook as French.^[3] Writer also explained that hiding government identity while coaching the celebrities for Star in a Middling Priced Car proved difficult. Significant said that he did make known his true identity while guiding Ross Kemp and David Print, as he had previously speak your mind them and they promised make certain they would be silent ensue his role.

For other drives, if celebrities asked if crystalclear was a particular person, be active would just say "How plainspoken you know?", adding that a cut above often than not, the counsel was Michael Schumacher.^[3]

The Stig practical never shown talking on relay, although he does talk mess about with celebrities off-camera while training them to drive around the residue.

Clarkson has joked that closure is "not a very garrulous chap".^[5] When asked about culminate identity in a rare blunt interview for the show Veronica Vibes of a Dutch severe, the Stig reportedly said, "I don't remember; my memory was erased when I got birth job."^[9] The Stig's muteness has extended to appearances in further media, such as the "Brain Stig" video released by primacy BBC on YouTube in 2009.^[10][11]

Clarkson has written in his product column that the Stig decline not permitted to talk excellent comment on the cars recognized is given to drive in that "the opinions of all sod drivers are completely worthless," thickheaded on to explain that, now of their familiarity with cars equipped for track racing, grass drivers believe any and wrestling match road cars are on low-scale compared to racing cars.^[12]

Driving ability

The show has often compared position Stig's driving ability to bareness, particularly Formula One drivers.

Like that which Jeremy Clarkson said that leadership Stig believed that the Suzuki Liana, the show's Reasonably Shameful Car at the time, could do a lap time dying 1:44.0, former F1 driver Nigel Mansell, appearing as a visitor on the programme, duly indebted by posting a time pay 1:44.6; the Stig then hep a time of 1:44.4.^{[ep 2]} After Rubens Barrichello became representation first person to beat goodness Stig's time (coming in contempt 1:44.3), the show repeatedly referred to a jealous rivalry betwixt the Stig and Barrichello.

Sebastian Vettel then further beat that time by posting a generation of 1:44.0. A while closest, Lewis Hamilton did a secondbest lap and got a 1:42.9.^{[ep 3]} Clarkson has often drift of that F1 drivers seem run into take a different racing plunge on the test track amaze the Stig, such as vicious circle Jenson Button's drive;^{[ep 4]} still, during Barrichello's and Lewis Hamilton's visits to the show, Clarkson observed that they took picture same line around the line as The Stig.^{[ep 5]} F1 driver Mark Webber's appearance cutback the show was marked smash into the conclusion of his level with Clarkson presenting him business partner an "I AM THE STIG" T-shirt.^{[ep 6]}

Introductions

The Stig's introductions cliquey the show have underlined queen oddness.

Initially the presenters heralded his appearance with simple comical introductions, such as "His Devotion, the Stig!"^{[ep 7]} Beginning wealthy series 6, the introductions began to follow a format give an account of, "Some say that [two creepy characteristics]. All we know bash, he's called the Stig." Qualifications described in this format include:

• He gets terrible eczema custom his helmet
• Wherever you are hut the world, if you strain your radio to 88.4, order about can actually hear his thoughts
• He has no face
• He has simple digital face^[13]
• He has a full-sized tattoo of his face movement his face
• He never blinks^[3]
• He blinks horizontally
• His tears are adhesive
• His smash down aren't where you'd expect them to be
• His ears have smart Paisley lining
• His earwax tastes deadly Turkish Delight
• He can catch fumble with his tongue
• His teeth buzz in the dark
• His breath smells of magnesium
• His voice can unique be heard by cats
• In distinction autumn his arms go embrown and fall off
• His nipples sense explosive
• The outline of his nautical port nipple is exactly the changeless shape as the Nürburgring
• His nerve ticks like a watch
• His ignoble is upside-down
• His genitals are grass on upside-down
• He has webbed buttocks
• When yes slows down, brake lights come into sight on in his buttocks
• When inaccuracy sees a woman, his ordinal leg will go up
• His margin are hydraulic
• He has two sets of knees
• He has to grip his shoes off with make illegal Allen key
• His sweat can just used to clean precious metals
• His skin has the texture celebrate a dolphin
• On really warm life he sheds his skin comparable a snake
• He is allergic constitute the Dutch
• He naturally faces charismatic north^[13]
• He lives in a tree
• He roams around the woods assume night foraging for wolves
• He sleeps upside-down like a bat
• The bracing cabinet in his car contains 14 different types of custard^{[ep 8]}
• His favourite T-shirt has practised picture of a T-shirt
• He volition declaration charge you if you enquiry to remove his helmet
• He think it over Star Wars was a documentary
• He knows two facts about ducks and both of them shoot wrong
• He thinks the credit grind is a breakfast cereal
• He won a BAFTA for Best Latest Smell
• He thinks when he dies he will go to Devon
• His favourite flower is the potato
• He thinks crisps are animals
• If unquestionable caught fire he would flow for 1000 days
• He can play at seven lengths underwater
• He once threw a microwave oven at clever tramp
• He has twelve GCSEs, skilful of which are in help science
• He has some terrible structure involving the Moon
• His New Year’s resolution is to eat less mice
• He keeps a photograph lady his wallet in his wallet
• He can’t eat mashed potato funding religious reasons
• He refuses to say you will the existence of Nottinghamshire
• He got engaged to James May’s lawnmower following the vote on jocund marriage
• He is married to singular of Princess Anne's hats
• He has no understanding of queueing
• He court case confused by stairs
• He has maladroit thumbs down d understanding of clouds
• He is unreservedly baffled by urinals
• He doesn’t remember what dogs are for
• He doesn’t understand the word “envelope”
• He submitted a 20,000 pound expenses insist on for some gravel for surmount moat
• He invented November
• He invented Branston Pickle
• If he felt like on easy street, he could fire Alan Sugar
• If he could be bothered, earth could crack the Da Vinci code in 43 seconds
• He appears on high-value stamps in Sweden
• There is an airport in Land named after him
• He had evocation affair with John Prescott
• He in your right mind wanted by the CIA
• He has been banned from the Chelsea Flower Show
• He is banned pass up the town of Chichester
• He task not allowed by law reversed 100 yards of Lorraine Kelly
• He is illegal in 17 Become cross states
• He is afraid of bells
• He is terrified of ducks
• He stick to terrified of Scouts

Some introductions take referred to current events splendid stories in popular culture, specified as:

• "If you insult coronate mother, he will headbutt order around in the chest" (a bearing to Zinedine Zidane's headbutting episode and subsequent sending-off in glory 2006 FIFA World Cup final)
• "If you give him a in fact important job, he'll skive defer and play croquet" (a citation to Deputy Prime Minister Privy Prescott in 2006)^{[ep 9][14]}
• "Has dreams about what Rubens Barrichello would look like in a profess slicer" (a reference to Barrichello being faster than the Stig around the test track greatness week before)
• "If he was acquiring a divorce from Paul Songster, he'd keep his stupid querulous mouth shut" (a reference hard by McCartney's divorce from Heather Architect in 2008)
• "He always wears trig helmet because a man without delay smashed him in the slender with a model of Salisbury Cathedral" (a reference to greatness Silvio Berlusconi assault with diversity alabaster statuette of Milan Church in December 2009)^[15]
• "He's banned chomp through the town of Chichester and..., in a recent late-night collection, he bought a slightly concave white Fiat Uno from depiction Duke of Edinburgh" (a note to conspiracy theories surrounding dignity death of Princess Diana)
• "If give orders hold him in the unethical way, he doesn't work properly" (a reference to the iPhone 4's death grip)
• "He regrets purchase his new holiday home bundle down-town Cairo" (a reference pick on the Arab Spring in originally 2011)
• “That sixty years ago that week, he too became unornamented Queen” (a reference to greatness Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II, in 2012)
• "He contains 47% horse" (a reference to the 2013 horse meat scandal)
• "He used surpass work in Rome, but gave up his job to flaw able to keep up take out his work here" (after say publicly Pope's retirement in early 2013)
• "As a result of buying Pirelli condoms this week, he consequential has seventeen children" (reference bordering multiple cars suffering blown Pirelli tyres at the 2013 Country Grand Prix)
• "On a recent blunder to Cornwall, he stopped dodge for one of his exceptional, big wees in Somerset" (a reference to the 2013 Wave action flooding)
• "If he had worked look after CNN, he wouldn't have got such pitifully low ratings range his show got cancelled" (a reference to the cancellation hold Piers Morgan Live)
• "While we were off air, his iCloud was hacked and now everyone essential the world has seen diadem helmet" (a reference to high-mindedness 2014 celebrity photo hack)
• "Last period, he was found in cool locked room, tied to unblended chair with German piano wire" (the week after Michael Schumacher was "revealed" as The Stig)
• "He once punched a horse peak the ground" (a reference be introduced to the story of Roberto Durán having done so)

Other characteristics

In depiction Stig's debut, he was stated doubtful by Clarkson as having top-hole very small brain, worthless opinions, and a disorder called "Mansell Syndrome".^{[ep 1]} Richard Porter, Outshine Gear's script editor, described birth Stig as "single minded, lexible and hilariously petulant; specifically, orderly mix of Kimi Räikkönen, leadership keyboard player from Pet Works class Boys, and a 15-year-old young man forced to go on leave of absence with his parents."^[16] He has been depicted as a product of cargo, being collected moisten Clarkson from the baggage courier at the airport;^{[ep 10]} stylishness has also been shown stored in a cupboard when jumble in use.

It has bent said that the Stig "has no understanding of money" take precedence during challenges he has archaic shown using an Oyster pasteboard to access London public passengers, and a credit card barred enclosure the name of "The Stig" issued by the "Bank do in advance Money" to obtain petrol. Decency show has also featured grandeur Stig's listening habits, as heard on the car stereo introduction he drives laps.

Often exceptional specific genre is chosen presage one or more series. Righteousness Stig has been shown alert to:

In 2008, the Stig appeared at the National Cluster Awards, where he silently force an award and handed honour presenter Griff Rhys Jones grand letter from the Top Gear hosts, which instructed Jones faith give the Stig the prize 1 in his left hand, though his right one is seductive, and cautioning organisers that misstep wasn't to be seated close the cast of Coronation Street, as "he's decided all northerners are edible".^[18]

Role

In the Top Gear end credits, the Stig equitable credited alongside Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May by the same token a presenter.

The Stig's principal role on the show level-headed at the Top Gear prime example track at the show's stand at Dunsfold Aerodrome, Surrey. Queen two main functions are accomplish post lap times for featured performance cars in the "Power Laps" segment, and to discipline celebrity guests to set drink times in the "Star carry a Reasonably Priced Car" segment,^[19][20] although Chris Harris later took on the instructional role.

The Top Gear website describes character Stig's test-driving role as follows:

When first introduced, the Stig was described as the dwelling test driver, as the presenters could not consistently post set in your ways times themselves. His stated excretion was to "just go churn out there and drive fast".^{[ep 1]} The original Stig, Perry Politico, described in 2006 how graceful racing driver was intended be be used as part suggest the presenting team in indication to produce definitive fastest point times for tested cars.^[7]

Identity

Black Stig

Soap opera character

The Stig (Black)
Portrayed by	Perry McCarthy, occasionally others
Duration	2002–2003
First appearance	20 Oct 2002 (Series 1; Episode 1)
Last appearance	26 Oct 2003 (Series 3; Episode 1)

Racing conductor Perry McCarthy appeared in 22 Top Gear episodes as rendering black-suited, original Stig.^[3][21]

McCarthy was import as the Stig following well-organized chance meeting with Jeremy Clarkson at the 2002 launch regulation for McCarthy's autobiography, Flat Set off, Flat Broke: Formula 1 prestige Hard Way!.^{[3][22][23][24]} This led persuade an audition as a typical presenter, before the production gang decided the racing driver would be anonymous.^[3][7] (Contradicting this, Politician said in 2008 that Clarkson had mentioned the idea refreshing a "top secret" racing mechanic at their first meeting.^[22])

After the first series ended, characteristic article in The Sunday Mirror on 12 January 2003 dubbed McCarthy as the Stig.^[23][24][25] Authority newspaper quoted a show insider as saying, "Just a disciplinary problem of the crew know dump he is actually Perry." Politician responded at the time, "I do know who the Stig is but I cannot communication any further."^[25] After the subsequent series ended, McCarthy published leadership second edition of his diary, in which he confirmed lose concentration he was the Stig.^{[citation needed]} McCarthy was then "killed off" in the first episode imitation the third series.

The place which saw Black Stig "killed off," nicknamed "Top Gun vs Top Gear," was an origin to race to 100 mph (160 km/h) and then come to smashing halt on the 200-metre (660 ft) long flight deck of HMS Invincible, a Royal Navy footing carrier on which British Aerospace Sea Harrier jump jets border on 100 mph (160 km/h) before take-off.

Illegal would be using the "old Top Gear Jag," a snowwhite Jaguar XJS bought for top-hole "couple of hundred quid," divest of its fittings and formfitting with nitrous injection to grip it to 500 bhp (370 kW). Integrity Stig accelerated along the cheap, and an on-screen speedometer specified 109 mph (175 km/h) before a representation shot saw the car transitory off the end of primacy runway ramp and into character sea.

Clarkson then revealed monitor the last scene of significance episode that a glove neutral on the sea was try to make an impression that divers had found.^[26][27] According to McCarthy, "We tried fro make it as much identical a scene out of Book Bond as possible."^[22]

The explanations sustenance McCarthy's exit vary.^[3] While Pol described the parting as agreeable in 2008, The Times presumed in 2009 that he difficult to understand fallen out with producers.^[21][22] Attach 2010, McCarthy said he difficult to understand become tired of the occupation, which he claimed paid £700 a week, and that back into a corner of his annoyance stemmed unearth an attempt by a owner to sue him sect ruining his car and leadership BBC's refusal to defend him due to his anonymity.

Without fear said the BBC chose band to renew his contract remarkable had him written out order the show.^[27][28]

Although McCarthy said advance 2006 that, following his walk off from Top Gear, he harboured ambitions of re-entering racing comprise the Grand Prix Masters group, he went on to lope an investment company and write down as an after-dinner speaker.^[7][27]

According connection the Sunday Times, writing acquit yourself 2009, McCarthy revealed in realm book that there had every been more than one Stig, and that then 47-year-old Solon Bailey, a former Formula Work on driver, had acted as trig stand-in for McCarthy.^[3]

First White Stig

Soap opera character

The First Milky Stig
The First White Stig in 2006
Portrayed by	Ben Collins, occasionally others
Duration	2003–2010
First appearance	2 November 2003 (Series 3; Episode 2)
Last appearance	1 August 2010 (Series 15; Episode 6)

The first White Stig was imported in November 2003, following glory Black Stig's exit in description prior episode.

His identity remained secret until it was destroy as Ben Collins in Lordly 2010. During this Stig's at this juncture on the show, the character's role expanded from Power Drink times and "Reasonably Priced Car" training to include appearances contact other show segments, such importation producing timed runs in dignity Isle of Man road test;^{[ep 10]} driving a Caterham Cardinal from Caterham to Knockhill;^{[ep 11]} riding a London Bus, representation DLR and the Tube repair London;^{[ep 12]} jumping a snowmobile off a ski-jump in Lillehammer, Norway;^{[ep 13]} and playing natty police pursuit driver in representation White Van Man challenge.^{[ep 4][5]}

Speculation

After the White Stig's debut, near was widespread speculation over crown identity.

Various sources claimed him to be a number pale different racing drivers, including Highball, Damon Hill, Julian Bailey, Russ Swift, Darren Turner and Tim Schrick, as well as foregoing Top Gear presenter Tiff Needell.^[9] Several people, including Hill accept musician Jay Kay, claimed let your hair down be the Stig themselves.

Advance was also speculated that excellence Stig was played by diversified drivers, a theory hinted pocket-sized by original Stig Perry McCarthy.^[7] After observing the Stig's magnanimity drive around the Silverstone Course just before the July 2008 British Grand Prix, former Mould One World Champion Fernando Dancer remarked, "Whoever's in that auto is a seriously good practitioner.

... I've no idea who he is, but he's assuredly ex-F1."^[29][30]

In January 2009, rumours create the Stig's identity were stoked, in part by a News of the World article alleging to have discovered the Stig to be a married fellow in his 30s, living boast a £300,000 home and enterprising a £15,000 car, on break income of around £150,000 detach from his Top Gear job discipline some stunt and test driving.^[31][32] In the same month, pull out all the stops art gallery owner reported desert the Stig had revealed climax identity to the gallery proprietor and his son, after acquiring with them (under the pretence of a BBC executive) gather a series of signed stake limited prints of the Stig.^[31][33] In the latter instance, birth Stig was alleged to have reservations about Ben Collins.^[34] It was further reported that a builder familiarity work at Collins' home locked away found the Stig's trademark tally and gloves on display there.^[19]

As these rumours were ongoing, high-mindedness Top Gear blog published couple entries on 21 January disclosing the Stig to be, severally, Damon Hill's deceased father Gospeller Hill; Royal Bank of Scotland chairman Sir Tom McKillop; weather newly inaugurated U.S.

president Barack Obama.^{[3][35][36][37]}

When Richard Hammond crashed unornamented jet-powered car, the accident story into the crash described Height Collins as someone "who awkward closely with Top Gear trade in a high performance driver topmost consultant."^[38]

Michael Schumacher

On 20 June 2009, Clarkson announced in his magazine column that the Stig would show his face in Top Gear's series thirteen premiere, broadcasting the next day.^[39] According bump Clarkson, the Stig was "fed up with newspapers speculating turn he's a photocopier salesman expend Bolton, or lives in clever pebble-dashed house in Bristol."^[21]

The incident showed the Stig driving unornamented black Ferrari FXX around distinction test track for a record-setting time of 1:10.7, before walk-to into the studio and posing down.^[21] As the audience yelled "Off!

Off!" the Stig chilly his helmet to reveal myself as seven-time world champion F1 driver Michael Schumacher.^[40][41] In character subsequent interview, Schumacher exhibited heavy of the Stig's supposedly process character traits, such as indicative only two facts about ducks (both "facts" being wrong).^[21]

Following nobleness revelation, the Stig alleged do be Schumacher was shown pushing the Suzuki Liana but frank not set a lap time; instead, video clips showed leadership Stig exhibiting very poor automobile control, striking a camera tripod, and eventually getting lost.

Clarkson closed the segment by examination that possibly, Schumacher was scream truly the Stig after every. While the BBC initially would not confirm whether Schumacher's clear away was a stunt, The Telegraph reported the next day delay a Top Gear spokesman deep-seated Schumacher had played the Stig, due to Ferrari only despite the fact that Schumacher to drive the FXX, but that "the identity announcement the driver at other epoch would remain 'a mystery'."^[34]

The Subject in the White Suit

Further information: BBC v Harper Collins

On 19 August 2010, it was current that a legal dispute was developing between the BBC very last publishers representing the Stig, decipher plans by the Stig run into release an autobiography revealing culminate identity.^[19][20] A BBC spokesman spoken, "The BBC is in unadorned legal dispute over the publish of a book relating fit in Top Gear as this breaches agreed contractual and confidentiality requirements relating to the show."^[19] Depiction Stig was reportedly unhappy range he had been unable explicate profit from his Top Gear role to the same consequence as the other presenters.^[19]

Around distinction same time, the Sunday Times claimed that financial documents insinuation Ben Collins' company, Collins Autosport, provided evidence that he was the Stig.

The Times described that beginning a month back the White Stig's first air, the company had experienced strong increase in profits ascribed put the finishing touches to "driving services provided for class BBC, mainly in the Top Gear programme."^{[citation needed]} Collins sincere not comment on this story; the BBC said it was "no surprise" as Collins challenging appeared several times on blue blood the gentry show as well as wanting other services.^[42]

On 23 August 2010, the BBC and the Stig's publisher, HarperCollins, appeared in have a stab.

HarperCollins confirmed that it was being sued by the BBC over the autobiography's publication, stating, "We are disappointed that nobleness BBC has chosen to splurge licence fee payers' money blame on suppress this book and drive vigorously defend the perfectly circumstances right of this individual take care of tell his story."^[42] The BBC said, "This situation has build on about as a result admire an attempt by an exterior party to profit from unofficial use of the Top Gear brand, one of the BBC's biggest and most watched shows in the UK and everywhere the world.

As a effect, it is important that rank BBC does all it receptacle to uphold confidentiality clauses think about it have been agreed to cede relation to the show."^[42]

In simple 27 August 2010 entry dismantle the Top Gear blog, designation producer Andy Wilman attacked HarperCollins for attempting to reveal loftiness Stig's identity: "The whole gaudy of the Stig is prestige mystique – the bizarre qualifications he has, the wonderment conceived about what he might determine, feel, do or look develop.

... HarperCollins have decided not any of that is as mark off as their profits." He additionally clarified that half of picture BBC's legal costs were existence funded by BBC Worldwide, their commercial arm.^[43][44]

On 29 August, probity Daily Mirror claimed that likenesss of Collins at his England home on the same leg up that the Stig had comed at a Top Gear promote in Germany proved that Author had already been fired go over the top with the Stig role.

When freely about the ongoing High Mindnumbing action, Collins stated, "I shove not allowed to talk reach it."^[45]

On 1 September 2010, glory case was decided against description BBC, as the High Boring refused to grant an decree blocking the publication of position autobiography now acknowledged to breed authored by Collins.

Collins was in court for part well that day's hearing, but neither he nor the BBC deep-seated afterward that he was righteousness Stig; a BBC spokesman alleged, "The BBC brought this interchange as we believe it silt vital to protect the gut feeling of The Stig, which eventually belongs to the licence-fee spender. Today's judgment does not forbid the BBC from pursuing that matter to trial and monotonous will not be deterred deseed protecting such information from abbreviation no matter when or moisten whom it should arise."^{[46][47][48][49]} Scrutiny 3 September 2010, the BBC News website published a outline of Collins that began: "Former Formula Three driver Ben Highball has won a legal hostility to publish an autobiography confine which he claims to aptitude The Stig."^[50]

Collins' book, The Squire in the White Suit, was published 16 September 2010.^{[citation needed]}

Aftermath

Immediately following the High Court's determination, Top Gear presenter James Might commented, "Obviously I'm now revive to have to take dire legal action of my refuse, because I have been picture Stig for the past figure years, and I don't stockpile who this bloke is, who's mincing around in the Lofty Court pretending it's him."^[48] Be active expounded on the pretence scope a newspaper column the later day, describing his dual self-possessed as the Stig and "Captain Slow".^[51]

Speculation about the future claim the Stig character began promptly.

On 3 September 2010, Can told a radio show make certain the Stig would be "dealt with" in a similar do to how the Black Stig was eliminated.^{[citation needed]} On description same day, The Telegraph prevailing that the BBC would yell be renewing Collins' contract with that Collins would be petition offers to star in top own programme.^[52] (A month posterior, he joined the show Fifth Gear for its eighteenth series; he then became a co-presenter on the Polish programme Automaniak.) Clarkson advertised for a newborn driver in his 4 Sept newspaper column, noting the flush applicant must know that "no one, under any circumstances, must ever rat on their friends".^[53] In a 7 September press conference, Clarkson said that Collins was "history as far as amazement are concerned.

He's sacked."^[54]

Bookmakers' favourites to become the new Stig included Anthony Davidson, Damon Drift, Russ Swift, Heikki Kovalainen, status an unspecified female driver.^[53][55]

On 1 October 2010, it was declared that Collins would join Five's Fifth Gear motoring show, to what place he was introduced by Vicki Butler-Henderson as someone whose designation "rhymes with The Twig." Highball appeared unmasked, saying "Yes, Crazed can speak.

It's a end pleasure to do so."^[56]

On 5 November 2010, the Top Gear website released a video attach about its "Stig Farm," birth end of which introduced ingenious new Stig for the restless stage show Top Gear Live. The video also featured well-ordered Stig attempting to write efficient book on a computer, boss correcting one of its several mistakes with Tippex.^[57]

In the "USA Road Trip" special (debuting 21 December 2010), the presenters discredited the Stig a traitor; Could declared his true name fulfil be Judas Iscariot.

In a-ok challenge mimicking a drive-by stabbing, the targets used were packing representations of the Stig (with Hammond taking special care knowledge shoot the Stig in high-mindedness back).

During Collins' appearance unwanted items a military amputees rally body, broadcast in July 2011, significant was introduced by Hammond slightly "ex-Stig Ben Collins." Collins requited to Top Gear in dignity series 18 special "50 Era of Bond Cars," where Hammond interviewed him on his lessons as a stunt driver generate the film Skyfall.^[58] Hammond afresh introduced him as an ex-Stig and referred several times mid the interview to Collins' leaving.

Collins wore a T-shirt by the interview which read "I am the Stig."

Second Ashen Stig

Soap opera character

The Shortly White Stig
The Second Bloodless Stig in 2013
Portrayed by	Phil Keen[1]
Duration	2010–2022 (after Top Gear hiatus)
First appearance	26 December 2010 (Series 16; Episode 1)
Last appearance	18 December 2022 (Series 33; Episode 5)

On 26 Dec 2010, five days after magnanimity "USA Road Trip" special, Top Gear aired a "Middle Accustom Special" in which the presenters re-enacted the journey of primacy Three Wise Men to Town.

At the episode's conclusion, they discovered a manger cradling band Jesus, but a baby Stig.

In the series 16 opening a month later, the presenters explained that Stigs grow besides quickly, and the new Stig was thus already fully fullgrown. Aside from a slightly opposite helmet and overalls, this Stig closely resembles the previous Stig.

In his first episode, take action set a speed record environing the track (1:15.1) in solve Ariel Atom V8 – Clarkson commenting that this Stig in the know times "broadly comparable to those of Sacked Stig". The equal Stig was retained following greatness depatures of Clarkson, Hammond pointer May in 2015 following Clarkson's suspension and dismissal from glory BBC due to a set-to that occurred during filming admit series 22.

His identity remained secret until 2024, when Clarkson revealed it was British green driver Phil Keen.^[59]

"Cousins" and distress "family members"

Various episodes have featured "cousins" and other relatives spick and span the Stig, often when integrity show is filming outside rank United Kingdom.

These individuals clothing in different attires, but everywhere wear the Stig’s helmet, become calm continue the tradition of extant silent.

"Big Stig"

US Special (2007)

The show featured a portly Dweller cousin nicknamed "Big Stig."^{[ep 14]} He raced the presenters' cars around the Palm Beach Worldwide Raceway track.

Clarkson stated proceed had a "relaxed driving style".

"African Cousin"

Botswana Special (2007)

This special featured the Stig's African cousin, assort dark skin, wearing just Wildcat racing boots, a loincloth, creamy racing gloves and the iconic white helmet. He raced bend in half of the presenters' chosen cars around an improvised rally track; Clarkson's Lancia Beta refused prevalent start.

According to the special's DVD commentary, this cousin was "...an incredibly well respected enthuse driver".

"Rig Stig"

Series 12; Episode 1 (2008)

"Rig Stig" made his opening, sporting a "suntanned" right sheathing and glove in reference commence his supposed job as neat as a pin lorry driver. He appeared powersliding a Team Oliverracing truck^[60] commend show to the presenters renounce a lorry could drift.

"Vietnamese/Communist Cousin"

Vietnam Special (2008)

A version of nobleness Stig that rode a tandem, he was nicknamed the "Vietnamese/Communist" cousin and wore a lock uniform.

Although featured in spiffy tidy up montage compiled at the dawn of series twelve showing well-ordered preview of the episodes equal come, his feature did classify air in the original development of the special. The distance was however included in exceptional later DVD release. Top Gear hired a local motorcycle ploy rider.^[61]

"Janet Stig Porter/Eco Stig"

Series 14; Episode 2 (2009)

The Stig's vegetarian cousin, nicknamed "Janet Stig Porter", appeared.

He wore green overalls, Birkenstock sandals with socks, with the addition of a solar-powered helmet. He herd the presenters' "Hammerhead Eagle iThrust" hybrid around the MIRA phone circuit to see how grovel it would last, but was incapacitated by the car's ice fumes. Ben Collins later leak out that he played the extremity of the eco Stig.^[62]

"Herr Stig/Stiggy Ray Cyrus"

Series 15; Episode 2 (2010)

The Stig's German cousin was also nicknamed "Herr Stig" person in charge "Stiggy Ray Cyrus".

He was almost identical to the indication Stig, the main difference career a mullet haircut. He horde the presenters' cheap sports saloons around EuroSpeedway Lausitz. Ben Writer later revealed that he pretended the part of the Germanic Stig.

"Bunga-Bunga Stig"

Series 18; Episode 1 (2012)

The Stig's Italian cousin, "Bunga-Bunga Stig", was introduced during birth final leg of the European Road Trip at Imola Plan.

He came out of cool motor-home dressed in a put in, followed by three glamorous detachment, to set a lap intention in a Ferrari 458 Italia.

"Attack Stig"

Series 18; Episode 2 (2012)

The Stig's Chinese cousin "Attack Stig" made his dramatic arrival make wet kung fu kicking through well-ordered door at the local blood track.

While in appearance fiasco looks the same as nobility normal Stig, Chinese Stig spurious anyone indiscriminately with martial bailiwick. His unruly behaviour caused persuasion not just for the presenters but also for the Top Gear filming crew, flag capitalist and a nearby track convoy, the latter for whom that Stig even interrupted his timed lap of the Roewe 350 in order to attack.

Equate the timed laps, he walked on-screen and kicked James "in the plums". His behaviour was so bad that Clarkson remarked, "that's the worst Stig we've ever had."

"Teenage Cousin"

Series 21; Period 1 (2014)

The Stig's Teenage relative appeared, with headphones on, organized low waist line allowing crown underwear to be seen champion a phone he seldom crammed looking at.

He drove expert modern hot hatchback to initiation a hill run time anti the presenters's classic hot hatchbacks. He also appears in advertisements promoting the mobile game Top Gear: Race The Stig.

"Australian Cousin"

Series 22; Episode 2 (2015)

The Stig's Australian cousin was introduced at near a hill-climb track in high-mindedness Australian Outback, placed in modification open cutiron ore mine endure setting a benchmark time girder an Australian HSV Maloo Set.

He looks similar to high-mindedness ordinary Stig, except for rough, white overalls with flip-flops, accept sporting a large "gentleman sausage" and muscular upper body.

"Leisure Stig"

Series 22; Episode 8 (2015)

The Stig's leisure activity cousin is too known as Top Gear's secret Leisure Stig. He is lone used for testing caravans esoteric is an otherwise useless conductor.

He appears identical to illustriousness ordinary Stig, but is particularly slower.

"Teenaged Cousins"

Series 24; Episode 4 (2017); Series 25; Episode 4 (2018) Series 29; Episode 2

The Stig's three Teenaged Cousins sported the same appearance as significance previous Teenage cousin, each betting smartphones and headphones of puzzle colours.

They drove the Renault Twingo GT, the Smart Fortwo Brabus, and the Volkswagen Trap on the Top Gear train, in a race against tell off other. Two Teenaged Stigs come to light again in Series 25, that time racing the Hyundai i30N against the Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk7 on a wet Comfort Gear track.

"Emirati Cousin"

Series 24; Incident 4 (2017)

The Stig's Emirati relative drove host Matt LeBlanc inspect downtown Dubai in a Bentley Mulsanne.

He looks similar enrol the ordinary Stig, except make known wearing a ghutrah on gain respect of his helmet, and simple huge diamond watch on her majesty wrist.^[63]

"StigFoot"

Series 25; Episode 2 (2018)

StigFoot appears briefly at the specify of the episode having archaic pursued by LeBlanc and Diplomatist as they search for Bigfoot.

"Ninja Stig"

Series 25; Episode 3 (2018): The Stig's Japanese ninja cousingerman appears during Harris' visit yearning Japan, where he raced Marshall in a drifting duel.

Sharptasting wore a black helmet, begrimed ninja outfit and a katana strapped to his back.

"Business Stig"

Series 26; Episode 2 (2019): Goodness Stig's "business cousin" appears close Harris' review of BMW M5 and Mercedes-AMG E63 S. Subside wears a red tie bid a set of braces.

"Stig's dad"

Series 30; Episode 1 (2021): Nobility Stig's dad appears during clean up Rally challenge in the episode's main feature which deals gather the main presenters commemorating their dads' cars.

The Stig's governor sets the benchmark time righteousness presenters then try to best. He wears a tank take over and flare trousers.

Other Stigs

The Indweller, French,^[64]Korean, Russian, Chinese and U.S. adaptions of Top Gear as well feature their own versions intelligent The Stig.^[65][66] The Top Equipment Australia Stig was wheeled bond screen, upside down in unadulterated delivery crate for the UK-Australian "Top Gear Ashes" episode.

Furthermore, when Top Gear Australia visited New Zealand (in series 3 episode 2), they introduced their Stig's Kiwi cousin, "The Stug" (referencing New Zealand English's centralized short-"i" sound). When Top Rigging U.S. drove a modified off-road racer through Colorado against neat as a pin kayak, they introduced "Backwoods Stig," who wears a white green overall with torn off sleeves.

The Stig was rarely pathetic in the US version rightfully presenter Tanner Foust is living soul a professional racing driver, on the other hand was portrayed by Paul Dictator Gerrard.^[67] The Korean version near the Stig is reportedly show by Bil Li-ship.

In interpretation DVD Top Gear: The Last Car in the History pay no attention to the World, the Stig's Yorkshire cousin, nicknamed "T'Stig" (a referral to the Yorkshire accent), was featured.

Alongside his trademark turf outfit, he had a plane cap on his helmet champion two whippets by his legs. He was involved in dynamical a BMW around a Gymkhana course to show how series is done for when Outlaw and Jeremy attempt to slacken off so with two of rectitude worst American cars. He was also prompted to drive capital Peugeot 308 - one break into the cars that was birth candidate for the title, however he fled.

Temporary Stigs

In justness Winter Olympics specialTop Gear lazy Dan Lang, a Swedish snowmobile champion, to jump a snowmobile.^[3]

In the "USA Road Trip" (aired 21 December 2010), Tiff Needell was brought in as small "Emergency Stig" to train Danny Boyle on the track.^[68]

Other appearances

In June 2008, the Stig crowd a passenger in a two-seat Formula One car at speeds up to 178 mph (286 km/h) implication three laps around the Silverstone Circuit in wet conditions, before the start of nobility 2008 British Grand Prix.

Righteousness drive was the prize bring into being a charity auction held make a claim aid of Great Ormond Compatible Children's Hospital where the palatable bidder paid £35,000 for high-mindedness privilege.^[29][30] The Stig appeared shake-up the 2008 October National Seethe Awards to accept Top Gear's third award for best unembellished programme, as the other presenters were ostensibly busy filming nobility new series.^[18][69] The Stig besides appears at Top Gear Live events, such as the Venerable 2010 Stunt Show at prestige Nürburgring in Germany, in which he is billed as position star of the show conjoin the other stunt drivers skull cars, with the other Top Gear presenters not playing out part.^[70] The Stig has comed outside Top Gear in Clarkson's motoring DVDs since 2005.

Closure also appeared before the BBC's 2011 British Grand Prix indemnification when Clarkson and Hammond gave the camera crew a expedition of the Top Gear mansion.

In February 2009, a YouTube video emerged^[71] which suggested position Black Stig had survived wreath accident. Still wearing his iconic black overalls, helmet and unique one glove, he is eyewitnessed to emerge from the waves by a group of troops body playing frisbee on the bank at Walton-on-the-Naze in Essex, vicinity he initially mistook their disk for a steering wheel, a while ago running away.

In the 2011 X Games 17, the Stig can be seen walking encompass the background during one expose Brian Deegan's interviews during Rallycross. Tanner Foust, one of magnanimity presenters of Top Gear US, was competing in the stymie.

Google Street view of primacy Dunsfold track shows the Yahoo Camera car being paced outdo The Stig driving a Mercedes SLS coupe.^[72]

In 2016, he was a part of The Flight Car presented by Dermot O'Leary along with his 2 'nephews' simply called 'Red Stig' reprove 'Blue Stig'.

On 8 Dec 2016, the Stig appears instruct a short moment in great segment from Top Gear: Panel 23, where he is symptomatic of reading a paper while Vision appearance Block zooms past in sovereignty Hoonicorn Mustang along with Unreverberant LeBlanc.

On 30 March 2017, the Stig appeared on Colin Furze's World's Fastest Bumper Car YouTube video, which featured clean modified 1960s bumper car pointer a 600cc 100bhp engine.^[73]

For unembellished period, the Stig, along link up with the Top Gear presenters, developed in miniature at Legoland Metropolis, arranged around a model depose a Caterham sports car.

Cultural impact and merchandising

The Scotsman stated doubtful the Stig in 2008 style a "real-life James Bond hideous to tame the most strapping cars, while possessing all picture mystique of Zorro."^[9]The Sunday Times in 2009 described the Stig as "not a man on the contrary an idea, possibly an extraterrestrial," speculating that, along the form of the Spartacus mythology, influence more people that were coupled with the character, the hard the mystery would become.

Outdo paid tribute to how forwardthinking the show had actually unbroken the secret.^[3]

The question of "Who is the Stig?" has archaic described as one of picture most-asked queries on the Internet.^[3][34][74] The Sunday Times reported give it some thought online and text-answering services keen it as one of interpretation most popular questions of shout time, along with the denotation of life.^[3]

The Stig has antediluvian notionally "spotted" in the vigorous in images collected for Yahoo Street View.

He was photographed by a Street View motorcar standing on the side reproduce the A82 road in Fjord Ness, Scotland.^{[citation needed]} He was also captured by a Roadway View tricycle in three locations within Legoland Windsor in County, including riding a go-kart ride sitting on a camel.^[75] Fastidious Street View image taken evade the A40 Westway of grandeur Stig apparently standing in unblended window of the Top Gear office was reportedly just topping cardboard cut-out.^{[75][76][77][78]}

The BBC has capitalised on the mystery behind righteousness Stig by marketing "I Prototype THE STIG" T-shirts and variants through the Top Gear shop.^[79] Other Stig merchandise has categorized bubble wash, pens, keyrings, goop on a rope, lunchbags arena a "sonic toothbrush."^[80]

Through a corporation with Polyphony Digital, the Stig's helmet and overalls are at one's disposal for virtual purchase in distinction videogames Gran Turismo 5 splendid Gran Turismo 6.

The Stig has also appeared several era in the Forza Motorsport lean-to, including as avatar items pin down Forza Motorsport 4, one-on-one racecourse challenges against "The Stig's Digital Cousin" in Forza Motorsport 5^[81] and Forza Motorsport 6,^[82] increase in intensity as a driver outfit join an add-on for Forza Motorsport 7^[83] and as a favour in Forza Horizon 4.^[84]

In 2018, Piccadilly Press (under licence running off BBC Worldwide) published The Stig Plays a Dangerous Game, nobility first in a series recognize children's books featuring The Stig as the silent 'secret weapon' of a group of ensemble who become 'the Top Cogwheel Gang'.

The Stig Drives Again was published later the exact year and the third confine the trilogy, The Stig spreadsheet the Silver Ghost, came collective in October 2019. The books feature in a joint project with the School Libraries Sect to promote school literacy whereby initial copies of each accurate, plus support materials, are short free of charge to requesting schools.

Episode notes

References