THE STIG is the test driver who showcases impressive driving skills on the BBC series Top Gear.
In 2024, presenter Jeremy Clarkson revealed his identity, contributing to the allure of this iconic character.
The origin of the name Stig
The name Stig has its roots in a playful tradition at Repton School, where original Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson attended.
All new boys at the school were affectionately referred to as Stig.
This inside joke continued when Top Gear producer Andy Wilman, also an alumnus of Repton, decided to name the anonymous driver after the school’s nickname.
Interestingly, there was a moment when the character was almost named The Gimp, a reference to his signature suit that resembled a BDSM outfit.
However, Perry McCarthy, the original Black Stig, objected to this name.
Duties of the Stig
In the earlier seasons of Top Gear, The Stig had several important roles.
The Stig was responsible for driving various high-performance cars, setting benchmark lap times that became a point of reference for the presenters and guests.
He also trained celebrities off-camera for the Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car segment, ensuring they were prepared for their time on the show.
With the show’s revival in 2016 under new presenter Chris Evans , Chris Harris took over the training duties for the revamped Star in a Rallycross Car segment.
While many believed Harris and co-presenter Sabine Schmitz‘s driving skills might have made the Stig’s role obsolete, the mysterious driver in white remains a staple of the series.
Ben Collins: The Unmasking of the Stig
In 2010, racing driver and stuntman Ben Collins publicly revealed himself as the Stig, which resulted in him losing his job after seven years of service.
The revelation came about as he prepared to release his autobiography titled The Man in the White Suit, which was deemed a breach of the confidentiality agreement he had signed with the BBC.
Collins had taken over the role in 2004 from Perry McCarthy, the original Black Stig, who left the show due to dissatisfaction with his salary and the secrecy surrounding the character.
Following Collins’ departure, a new White Stig was introduced, and to this day, the identity of the current Stig remains a mystery.
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Rumored Drivers Behind the Stig mask
The character known as The ‘Stig’ has been portrayed by various drivers throughout the history of Top Gear.
Perry McCarthy
The original Stig, often referred to as the Black Stig, was racing driver Perry McCarthy, who donned the iconic black suit from 2002 to 2003.
McCarthy’s role was established after he met Jeremy Clarkson at the launch party for his autobiography, Flat Out, Flat Broke: Formula 1 the Hard Way.
Initially intended to be a regular presenter, McCarthy was instead cast as an anonymous driver, embodying the show’s mystery.
However, after a revelation by The Sunday Mirror in 2003, his identity was exposed, leading to McCarthy’s character being “killed off” in a dramatic fashion in the first episode of Series 3.
Ben Collins
Following McCarthy, Ben Collins took on the mantle as the first White Stig from 2003 until 2010.
His identity remained a closely guarded secret until it was revealed in 2010.
Collins’s Stig was more than just a racing driver; he participated in a variety of stunts and challenges, expanding the character’s role within the show.
Speculation about Collins’s identity was rampant, with various racing drivers being rumored as the Stig.
In 2009, his supposed identity was further muddled when a News of the World article suggested he was an ordinary man living a seemingly mundane life.
Michael Schumacher
In a notable twist, the Stig was portrayed by Michael Schumacher in a special episode in 2009, where he revealed himself to the audience after a record lap.
However, this moment was later joked about as possibly being a stunt, leaving fans questioning the Stig’s true identity once again.
Phil Keen
After Collins’s departure, Phil Keen became the second White Stig, starting in 2010.
His identity remained secret for years, finally being confirmed in 2024.
The introduction of Keen brought a fresh perspective to the character, with new stunts and challenges that maintained the allure of The Stig.
Other Stigs
Throughout the series, there have been various other incarnations of The Stig, often referred to as “cousins.”
These include characters like the Big Stig from the US Special, the African Cousin in the Botswana Special, and many more, each adding a humorous twist to the character while maintaining the core concept of a mysterious, anonymous driver.
The continual speculation and mystery surrounding The Stig have become an integral part of Top Gear’s charm, with each actor contributing to the lore of the character in unique ways, further solidifying The Stig’s status as a cultural icon in the world of motorsport and television.
Top Gear Presenters and Future
The show’s format has evolved significantly over the years.
Traditionally, the BBC has released one series annually, with Top Gear season 32 premiering on June 5.
In October 2018, it was announced that Paddy McGuinness and Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff would be the next hosts of Top Gear, taking over from Matt LeBlanc, who left the show to focus on family.
They are joined by presenter Chris Harris, continuing the legacy of this beloved automotive series.
