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Top Gear's Stig 'to be unveiled' Schumacher 'revealed' as the Stig
(about 8 hours later)
The Stig, the mystery driver who tests high-performance cars on Top Gear, will take his helmet off for the first time later, the BBC has confirmed. The Stig, the mystery driver who tests high-performance cars on Top Gear, has been "revealed" as Michael Schumacher.
Presenter Jeremy Clarkson, writing in his column in the Sun, revealed the unmasking, saying Stig's identity would be a "staggering surprise" to viewers. The seven-times Formula 1 champion dressed as the show's famous driver and removed his helmet during an interview with presenter Jeremy Clarkson.
He said the Stig would barge into the studio in Sunday night's pre-recorded BBC Two show before showing his face. But it is unclear whether he really is the Stig or whether it was all a stunt.
Clarkson jokingly pretended not to recognise the German driver and asked him his name, before shouting to the audience: "It's Michael Schumacher!"
The presenter had revealed in his column in the Sun that Stig's identity would be a "staggering surprise" to viewers.
The driver has previously been named by papers as ex-stunt driver Ben Collins.The driver has previously been named by papers as ex-stunt driver Ben Collins.
As Jeremy said, in tonight's Top Gear Stig will remove his helmet for the first time BBC spokesmanAs Jeremy said, in tonight's Top Gear Stig will remove his helmet for the first time BBC spokesman
The BBC has previously refused to confirm or deny whether Collins, who has worked on films including James Bond movie Quantum Of Solace, is the Stig.The BBC has previously refused to confirm or deny whether Collins, who has worked on films including James Bond movie Quantum Of Solace, is the Stig.
Clarkson, 49, said that, while filming the scenes, "hardened, emotionless camera crews said the hair on the back of their neck prickled".Clarkson, 49, said that, while filming the scenes, "hardened, emotionless camera crews said the hair on the back of their neck prickled".
"As a television moment, it's up there with Neil Armstrong walking on the... corpse of JR Ewing," he added."As a television moment, it's up there with Neil Armstrong walking on the... corpse of JR Ewing," he added.
A BBC spokesman would only say: "As Jeremy said, in tonight's Top Gear Stig will remove his helmet for the first time."A BBC spokesman would only say: "As Jeremy said, in tonight's Top Gear Stig will remove his helmet for the first time."
It is not clear if the apparent unveiling is part of a publicity stunt which could mean that Stig's identity remains a mystery.
Perry McCarthy, a former Formula 1 driver, was the original Stig, wearing black overalls for his appearances.Perry McCarthy, a former Formula 1 driver, was the original Stig, wearing black overalls for his appearances.
He was replaced with a new Stig, dressed in white, after he had revealed his identity in his 2002 autobiography.He was replaced with a new Stig, dressed in white, after he had revealed his identity in his 2002 autobiography.