TOP GEAR UK is back on the air - in England, at least - and it hasn’t taken long for the boys to stir up a dash of controversy and intrigue.
The first episode of series 13 of the world’s most popular car show (by any decent reckoning) saw Michael Schumacher “revealed” as the head beneath The Stig’s white helmet (after being invited onto the show to drive the Ferrari FXX).
Of course, the odds of ‘Schuey’ filling Stiggy’s outfit full-time are pretty slim - even in retirement, the former F1 superstar has a demanding schedule - so the mystery of The Stig’s true identity will more than likely remain just that, for some time to come.
The Stig’s identity has been a hotly debated topic almost since… it… first appeared on the show. Former F1 steerer Perry McCarthy was eventually unveilled as the the original black-clad Stig, leading to the character catapulting to its demise off the end of an aircraft carrier.
Earlier this year, professional driver Ben Collins was regarded as the most likely new man behind the machine, while Jeremy Clarkson declared only a week later that it was in fact BBC royal reporter Nicholas Witchell - a fairly unlikely story.
For now, viewers have a few options: you can believe that Michael Schumacher has the time (and that BBC has the money) to be The Stig, or that Ben Collins is in fact The Stig (or at least was The Stig), or you can keep believing The Stig is a machine with webbed fingers and a penchant for country and western music.
UPDATE - BBC video added:
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Damn….I was going to watch it tonight and didn’t want the surprise to be spoiled! Thanks for putting it in the title and not in the article like everyone else today!
I have a feeling that the boys will bring in a top driver on every episode to reveal him/herself as the Stig.
Rowan, most sites mentioned Schumacher in their article titles too.
No biggie.
I reckon its just all a cover up! I reckon for years there has always been more than one Stig and it changes every session
or
They are covering up Ben Collins!
Of course it’s a cover up. Good on Schumi for taking part in the gag too, btw.
Rowan, all that has happened is you have heard the punchline first, it’s not like they have revealed the meaning of life.
Or you can believe it’s either Ben or Michael but someone else. Keep them minds open
Don’t want to spoil it for you Rowan, but it was pretty obviously a gag from what I have heard. I’m sure the show will still be enjoyable when you see it.
p.s. Good on Schuey for going along with the TG fun and games.
Gee - aren’t I getting a pounding for not wanting the punchline spoiled before the joke is even said? Haha.
That said, I wouldn’t be surprised if this is an ongoing joke like Andy said earlier.
When is TGA over and axed? Not soon enuff if you ask me
We Want TGUK
We Want TGUK
We Want TGUK
We Want TGUK….
Do ya hear me SBS?
YEAH SURE. THE BBC COULDNT EVEN AFFORD THE GREAT SCHUMIS PRIVATE JET FLIGHT OVER HERE.But at least it will boost the viewing figures
poos
Come on guys. The car on the track last night was the Ferrari FXX, which went round 7 seconds faster than anything else. Remind me again, who does Schuey work for?
How’s this for a plan? Ferrari only let them feature the car on the understanding that their guy drove it, and their guy just happens to be Michael Schumaker.
According to some other sources, the all-black FXX (with no white stripe) is The Schu’s “own” FXX, therefore it was practically a done deal that only Michael would be permitted to drive it round the test track, therefore combining Schumacher with the Stig seemed to be a convenient way to resolve the issue
I’m downloading it now; and that means that there’s only one Top Gear show I would have bothered to watch tonight, not the one earlier on on SBS.
I downloaded the UK Top Gear and watched it, then watched the Aus version later on SBS. The Uk was brilliant from start to finish. The Aus version? Pathetic! Please SBS stop wasting money on these clowns you have on Aus Top Gear. Either get new host and producer, or axe the show and show us the UK version. Aus Top Gear and it’s lousy hosts is pitiful poor excuse for a car show.
there are multiple stigs. At least 4 i know of. Ben collins has been a main driver, darren turner drove the dbs9, some finnish snowmobile rider did the ski jump, and hamiltons f1 team mate (cant spell it sorry) drove the f1 car. Also i suspect when they tested the f430 it was ferrari’s test driver that appeared in the review. Im sure its all dependant on availability as well as any conditions placed by the car company.
Just finished watching it; the sound of the FXX going round the track was insane, completely savage!
Guys!
The Stig is actually the Rallychampion from Sweden (early ones)
Stig Blomqvist hense the name the “Stig”
No just kidding,
i personally believe it´s a “crowd” of people Huge crowd that is.
Best regards from Sweden.