The Stig Is Up!

The identity of The Stig, the always-anonymous test driver on the international hit show Top Gear, has long been a closely guarded secret. But yesterday, the BBC was refused an injunction blocking publication of a book revealing the identity of the famed character.

Publisher HarperCollins said 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," and wave a big middle finger at the BBC. Collins' bio notes he has raced on the Formula Three and NASCAR circuits, and drove James Bond's Aston Martin in the 2008 film "Quantum of Solace."

The "White" Stig is the second in the role; the first "Black" Stig was Perry McCarthy, who left the show in 2003 after his identity was revealed. The program held 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, but it's an 110% certainty they'll have an enigmatic mystery driver to challenge their guests.

Top Gear is one of the BBC's most successful programs ever, and is shown in over 100 countries around the world. The BBC said it sought the injunction at a hearing held in private in order to "protect the character of The Stig." The judgment does not prevent them from taking the issue further in the courts.