Todays non-story [Archive]

A Place of Light

01-09-2010, 20:58

So, apparently, the Stig is really a man called Ben Collins.
Must be one of the worst kept secrets in show business.

Mark

01-09-2010, 21:31

That's exactly what I thought. I've known that for years and I'm sure many others have too. What were the Beeb thinking?

divine

01-09-2010, 22:14

What were the Beeb thinking?

That one of their employees had signed a contract and was breaking one of the clauses of that contract for his own personal gain, most likely.

After all, let's face it, no one gives a stuff about Ben Collins autobiography, it's only the Stig thing that will sell it at all beyond racing enthusiasts.

Garp

01-09-2010, 23:02

It's been well known since the HSE investigation post Richard Hammonds crash, in which Ben Collins is even named.

"It was felt that, with his extensive motor sport experience, he would be
able to confirm PTLE’s competence and the quality of their equipment, and be able to see through them if they were not genuine. (This was a significant step because Top Gear had not used BC in this way before.)"

Mark

02-09-2010, 08:16

It's been well known since the HSE investigation post Richard Hammonds crash, in which Ben Collins is even named.

BBC don't deny this point, and state as much in the latest news article. However, they don't state that he is the Stig. Of course, we all made that connection for ourselves.

That one of their employees had signed a contract and was breaking one of the clauses of that contract for his own personal gain, most likely.

In which case they should have gone after it in that way (as breach of contract), rather than claiming they're trying to protect the identity of the Stig. Does it really matter who the Stig is? If it comes to it, they can always hire someone else (as they've done before).

BBx

02-09-2010, 23:07

Who is Ben Collins? :/

BB x

Blighter

02-09-2010, 23:09

Some people say he is simply an author struggling to get his book published.

Other people say he is an ex-Formula 3 racer.

All I know is he's unemployed!

BBx

02-09-2010, 23:22

I thought The Stig was someone FAMOUS!!! :D lol

BB x

Mark

03-09-2010, 00:36

James May?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/columnists/jamesmay/7977662/And-the-Stig-is....html

;D

Desmo

03-09-2010, 06:54

It's amazing what you can make a news story out of these days.

A Place of Light

04-09-2010, 20:16

I thought The Stig was someone FAMOUS!!! :D lol

BB x

Here's the way I understand it.
The first STIG (in the black overalls) was a guy called Perry McCarthy. He released an autobiography (sound familiar :) ) in which he admitted to being the STIG so the BBC fired him. As far as I'm aware, while Ben Collins is the STIG (the new one in the white overalls) most of the time there are also a few drivers who have donned the white overalls when Ben is unavailable. I've heard rumours that Damon Hill and Nigel Mansell have "had a go", among others.

Mark

04-09-2010, 20:32

And of course Michael Schumacher, but that one wasn't a secret.

I suspect certain manufacturers request specific drivers (as was likely the case with Schumi), so they take over as the Stig for that.

Feek

08-10-2010, 22:38

It appears that Ben Collins has demonstrated why he was so perfect as the Stig in a non-speaking role by joining Fifth Gear and showing us that he has absolutely no personality at all! He was just boring to watch this evening and his two quips about "now I can talk" and spending years dressed as "a Stormtrooper" were clearly just sour grapes.

Flibster

08-10-2010, 22:49