A new autobiography, in which it is claimed that former Formula Three racing driver, Ben Collins, is Top Gear’s The Stig; is to be published following a ruling by the High Court. The BBC, maker of the popular motoring show, has been trying to seek an injunction claiming Mr Collins is breaking confidentiality agreements by revealing his identity.
The BBC also argued that the identity of The Stig, being an integral part of the make up of the show, was the property of those who paid the BBC’s licence fee. Because most viewers’ enjoyed the mystery behind the man in white, his identity should remain a secret, the BBC went onto argue.
Last month, 33-year-old Collins was linked to the show through the financial records of his company. However, the BBC claimed that the records were to do with drivers’ supplied by Mr Collins for events such as Top Gear Live. The BBC has refused to confirm or deny that Mr Collins has been The Stig for the last seven years.
It has been alleged that Mr Collins wanted to reveal himself so that he could have the chance to participate in the lucrative product sponsorship and book deals which fellow presenters Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond have the opportunity of exploiting.
Andy Wilman, Top Gear’s executive producer, said he believed that BBC had every right to make sure the identity of The Stig was kept secret from those whose only intention was to use it for money making purposes.
