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Schumacher 'revealed' as the Stig Schumacher 'revealed' as the Stig
(about 2 hours later)
The Stig, the mystery driver who tests high-performance cars on Top Gear, has been "revealed" as Michael Schumacher. The Stig, a mystery driver who tests high-performance cars on Top Gear, has been "revealed" as Michael Schumacher.
The seven-times Formula 1 champion dressed as the show's famous driver and removed his helmet during an interview with presenter Jeremy Clarkson.The seven-times Formula 1 champion dressed as the show's famous driver and removed his helmet during an interview with presenter Jeremy Clarkson.
But it is unclear whether he really is the Stig or whether it was all a stunt. However, an appalling driving performance by Schumacher at the end of the show cast doubt on the "revelation".
Clarkson jokingly pretended not to recognise the German driver and asked him his name, before shouting to the audience: "It's Michael Schumacher!" Clarkson told viewers: "I don't think Michael Schumacher is the Stig".
The presenter had revealed in his column in the Sun that Stig's identity would be a "staggering surprise" to viewers. The presenter had earlier 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. You have to bear in mind that Top Gear is an entertainment programme BBC spokeswoman
As 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.
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." Earlier, a BBC spokesman said: "As Jeremy said, in tonight's Top Gear Stig will remove his helmet for the first time."
After the show a BBC spokeswoman could not confirm whether or not Schumacher was the genuine Stig, or a stunt to mark the first episode of a new series of Top Gear.
But she added: "You have to bear in mind that Top Gear is an entertainment programme."
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.