The Stig

[henk4]

Finally what we all though, is official, Ben Collins is the Stig...he will soon publish his autobiography, where he speaks about his seven years as the Stig. In an act of despair the BBC has tried to prevent publication of the book....

[andycoates]

I saw that recently and nearly spat my drink...prevent him publishing?! Many people have had a 'strong suspicion' for a while now! Are they going to find a way to kill him off now as they did with Perry McCarthy?

Place bets now for the next colour uniform!

[f6fhellcat13]

I have always thought the fun was in not knowing. I really don't get the British tabloids' insatiable need to find out who the Stig is.
Do most Brits enjoy getting the fun sucked and slandered out of everything?

[TVR IS KING]

I have always thought the fun was in not knowing. I really don't get the British tabloids' insatiable need to find out who the Stig is.
Do most Brits enjoy getting the fun sucked and slandered out of everything?

Oh I know. The whole point of The Stig was that he's portrayed as being mysterious and only semi-human. Knowing who he is simply spoils it. But tabloids are like that, they'll post huge bounties for information such as the Tiger Woods scandal, and gladly ruin people's lives (or in this case, a humerous and long-running joke), because they know they can profit from it. It's disgusting. Of course, the real issue is the people that buy it...

[wwgkd]

5 yuan on red.

Also, they've tried so hard to keep it secretish, I'd be annoyed too.

Edit: Well hellcat, they are brittish...

[Dino Scuderia]

I have never cared who the Stig was or that there was a Stig or even Top Gear.

[Matra et Alpine]

It is WRITTEN IN to the "Stig" contract to maintain the secrecy.
Collins by publishing breaks the contract, which he had signed, so I don't get the Beeb bashing I see in some places.
Personally I think he's REALLY pissed off at how much money the Stig image is bringing in and he does not get one penny of royalties on it all.
Also, there can only be a finite amount of time you coudl stand having to work with JC on a regular basis - no matter HOW much money was on the table.

EDIT: British tabloids are TRASH publications with poorly educated writers who have to get headlines whichever way they can - because it will NEVER be for the quality of research or writing !! Who the Stig is is a very easy article to print.

[Dino Scuderia]

Also, there can only be a finite amount of time you coudl stand having to work with JC on a regular basis - no matter HOW much money was on the table.

Agreed. He is why I have not cared about Top Gear.

[RacingManiac]

EDIT: British media in general are TRASH publications with poorly educated writers who have to get headlines whichever way they can.

fixed....

I watch Top Gear for the entertainment value now. No point worrying about any "information" presented on the show since the credibility is doubtful. JC also writes interesting articles, but also, not useful as a reference material, but entertaining read.

I like how they try to put James May as a "smart and knowledgeable one". Since he also spew sheer non-sense most of the time in his supposedly technical talk...

He makes good documentary though, the one about him talking about the space program in US was very good TV...

At anyrate, BBC will probably just find another The Stig. Racing driver who went nowhere with their day job are dime a dozen....

[Matra et Alpine]

fixed....

Editing quotes is a bannable offence - SERIOUSLY !!

Worse, still it shows a lack of reading of the "better" publications and press sources in the UK.

eg The Sunday Post - home of The Broons and Orr Wullie. Say anything bad about them and we stuff yer heid up yer ----

[Matra et Alpine]

pah, you just dont understand irony.
He's funny and entertaining BECAUSE he's a bigotted, non technical arse

[Ferrer]

And there's James May which is worth all the fuss.

[Matra et Alpine]

r u gay ??????

[NicFromLA]

I always suspected there was a bunch of different drivers who rotated as The Stig. I guess I was wrong.

[pimento]

The point of The Stig is that they can use other people if they have to (availability, specialist drivers for the cars, etc) but their main guy is (probably) Collins. I can see why the BBC wants to keep him under wraps and understand Andy Wilman's position (producer, created the new format with Clarkson) but surely there'd be a better way to do this.. now the book will be written by an 'ex-stig' anyway, which is always going to be a bit sour. Not sure.. it's clearly a breach of contract, but surely there's a better way for Collins to get some cashola..