BBC blocking The Stig's memoirs (STIG's identity revealed!)
 

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/19/r...stigs-memoirs/


Some say he's a literary giant, and that a portion of his autobiography is featured on the Rosetta Stone. All we know is, he's ticked off the BBC bosses by seeking to publish his memoirs. According to UKPA and ESPN, the tame racing driver has written the tale of his life and wants to share it with the world. The only problem is doing so would violate the confidentiality agreement in the Stig's contract. The Beeb is also arguing that revealing his identity would ruin Top Gear for the millions of fans of the show around the world.

Supposedly there are only a scant few people who actually know the Stig's true identity, including Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond. As the UKPA points out, each of those presenters has gone on to other money-making projects outside of the Top Gear realm, leaving the poor Stig to take out his frustrations on the reasonably-priced car. We don't necessarily see what the BBC is so concerned about. It's not like anyone reads Morse code these days anyway.

If no one knows his idendity all he has to do is write the memoirs without mentioning Stig, his secret idendity name then people would not know and he would not violate his Top Gear contract.

the history of his life will have to include Top Gear. If he doesnt mention being the STIG the the book will sell poorly

BBC is not being unreasonable. The major theme of the stig is his anonymity. So no of course he can't go write a book about his entire life including being the stig because all that just goes right out the window.

Sorry dude but obviously you knew it was in the contract when you signed up.

Release a book without mentioning that part of your life, else just wait until your time on the show is up.

Don't we all already know who the Stig is???? :uh::uh::uh:

Actually one time it was Michael Schumacher. I forgot which season and episode it was.

BINGO :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/01/b...book/#comments
The Stig has taken another step toward shrugging off the shackles of the BBC. As you may recall, Top Gear's tame racing driver recently locked horns with the Beeb after he made it clear he wanted to publish his memoirs. The show's producers found issue with text, saying that revealing his identity would not only be a disservice to the fans of the show, but that it would also violate the terms of his contract. Thing is, a judge has struck down the BBC's injunction to keep The Stig from publishing his book. That means publisher HarperCollins can move forward on bringing the book to life without fear of any further legal action from the BBC.

Interestingly enough, Ben Collins, the man who has long-been rumored to be the Stig, was spotted leaving the courthouse shortly after the ruling was issued. Collins was evasive when asked by reporters if he was the man in white, though we have a hard time thinking of any other reason why he would be at the hearing.


I know many people are assuming that Top Gear will dump the Stig as retaliation but I think that would be a mistake. I am just wondering if the money from the book will be greater than the value of getting to beat the **** out of every new sports car that comes out. Difficult decision

It appears it is Ben Collins.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100901/...itain_top_gear

LONDON – The opaque visor of one of Britain's most famous helmets has been lifted.

The identity of The Stig, the always-anonymous test driver on the popular television show "Top Gear," has long been a closely guarded secret. On Wednesday, lawyers said the BBC had been refused an injunction blocking publication of a book revealing the identity of the character.

Shortly after, publishers HarperCollins said in a statement that a 33-year-old racing driver named Ben Collins "has a great story to tell about his seven years as The Stig, which will appeal to a wide audience beyond just motoring enthusiasts."

Calling it a "victory for freedom of speech," HarperCollins said the book will be published in Britain on Sept. 16.

The white-suited Stig is the second in the role; the first Stig, who wore a black suit and helmet, was Perry McCarthy. He left the show in 2003 after his identity was revealed.

The show has a long-standing policy of not commenting on The Stig's identity. A "Top Gear" spokeswoman said no decision has been made on whether the character will be back when the show returns.

"Top Gear" is one of the BBC's most successful programs, and is seen in more than 100 countries around the world. Alongside the show's three garrulous hosts, The Stig is an always-silent presence, fearlessly navigating the show's test track in glamorous cars.

Speculation over his identity is a favorite pastime for fans of the show, and the "Top Gear" website sells T-shirts proclaiming "I am The Stig," "I am not The Stig," and "I am The Stig's fat cousin," among others.

"The whole point of The Stig is the mystique — the bizarre characteristics he has, the wonderment created about what he might think, feel, do or look like," producer Andy Wilman said in a post on the show's website. "Kids adore the conceit, and I believe adults, although they know it's a man in a suit (or is it?) gladly buy into the whole conceit because they find it entertaining."

The Stig's Facebook page — which more than 2.5 million people "like" — says he was recently attacked by a goose, that his ears "are not where you would expect them to be," and that he thinks the movie "Star Wars" is a documentary.

The BBC said it sought the injunction — the hearing was held in private — because viewers like the mystery surrounding the driver's identity and it's "vital to protect the character of The Stig."

The broadcaster said that the judgment does not prevent them from taking the issue further in the courts.

'The BBC will not be deterred from protecting such information from attack no matter when or by whom it should arise," the broadcaster said in a statement.

Collins' website says he has raced on the Formula Three and NASCAR circuits, and drove James Bond's Aston Martin in the 2008 film "Quantum of Solace."

Thread title should be renamed to "STIG's identity revealed." As trivial as this may appear to the casual observer, this is a groundbreaking revealing for the car enthusiast world.

Oh, and ben collins has already been dumped by BBC. The white stig is no more -

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-sto...5875-22521367/

Sad really. The Stig signed up with the BBC to be a completely anonymous driver for the program. You would think he would honor that agreement. Sadly, success and the taste of celebrity, along with a book deal was all it took.

The Stig, mysterious race car driver, just couldn't keep a secret.

Who the hell does he think is going to buy his book. Now that his identity is revealed nobody cares anymore.

i'm amazed in this day and age with cell phones and paparazzi that any show can keep a secret like that for more than a few days. :D

doesn't bother me that he's been outed and i expect his book will be quite entertaining.

maybe the beeb was more pissed that he'll likely talk about how they run that byzantine taxpayer paid for organization. you guys do know that in the uk you HAVE to buy a license EACH YEAR to own a TV? SMH

Well, 7 years as the Stig is a long stint. He'll make good money on the book (heck, I might even buy it), and it seems he wants to branch off and work on other tv deals. Top Gear has already gotten a replacement (I bet there's a ton of race car drivers who would gladly do it) and maybe the show can start with an all-new lap time board.

Seems like a win-win for everybody.