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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Schumacher 'revealed' as the Stig | Schumacher 'revealed' as the Stig |
| (about 12 hours later) | |
| The Stig, a 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. |
| However, an appalling driving performance by Schumacher at the end of the show cast doubt on the "revelation". | However, an appalling driving performance by Schumacher at the end of the show cast doubt on the "revelation". |
| Clarkson told viewers: "I don't think Michael Schumacher is the Stig". | Clarkson told viewers: "I don't think Michael Schumacher is the Stig". |
| The presenter had earlier 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. |
| You have to bear in mind that Top Gear is an entertainment programme BBC spokeswoman | You have to bear in mind that Top Gear is an entertainment programme BBC spokeswoman |
| "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. |
| Earlier, a BBC spokesman said: "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 would 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. | |
| "We never reveal who or what The Stig is," she said. | |
| But fans of the show remain unconvinced as to his identity. One fan, James2001, wrote on a Digital Spy forum: "You're very gullible if you believe it really is him." | |
| Another fan, Mijath, said: "People's fascination with the identity of The Stig mystifies me. Tonight's unveiling was always going to be a joke, and a brilliant one it was." | |
| 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 revealed his identity in his 2002 autobiography. |