Most likely in stark violation of the contractual terms of his employment with the BBC, British stunt driver Ben Collins has confirmed his secret identity as famously anonymous Top Gear driver, “The Stig.” According to reports, the 33-year-old veteran racer revealed his secret identity to an art gallery in Bristol when he enlisted the help of gallery owner, Simon Whitehead, in creating a special limited-edition print of The Stig.

Collins, an accomplished racer with numerous Formula Three, Le Mans, GT, and NASCAR competitions under his belt, has always denied previous allegations that he was The Stig – a deception necessary to maintain employment. Prior to Collins’ appearance on Top Gear as the White Stig, the role of Top Gear’s mysterious stunt driver was played by the “original” Black Stig, Perry McCarthy. After McCarthy revealed his secret identity in his 2002 tell-all book, Flat Out, Flat Broke, the BBC “phased out” McCarthy during the 2003 season of Top Gear, replacing him with Collins.

Although neither the BBC nor Top Gear have issued any official statement regarding Collins’ recent break in ranks, the BBC’s notorious reputation for remaining tight-lipped regarding The Stig’s identity certainly does not bode well for Collins’ future with the show.

Source: The Telegraph