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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Schumacher 'revealed' as the Stig | Schumacher 'revealed' as the Stig |
| (about 4 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. |
| "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." |
| I don't think it was for real - it was good fun and nice to see Schumacher playing along Peter Lawton, What Car? magazine | I don't think it was for real - it was good fun and nice to see Schumacher playing along Peter Lawton, What Car? magazine |
| 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. | 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. |
| "You have to bear in mind that Top Gear is an entertainment programme. We never reveal who or what The Stig is," she said. | "You have to bear in mind that Top Gear is an entertainment programme. 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." | 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." | 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." |
| Peter Lawton, consumer editor of What Car? magazine told the BBC he thought it was "a nice publicity stunt". | Peter Lawton, consumer editor of What Car? magazine told the BBC he thought it was "a nice publicity stunt". |
| "I don't think it was for real - it was good fun and nice to see Schumacher playing along," he said. | "I don't think it was for real - it was good fun and nice to see Schumacher playing along," he said. |
| He also said he knew who the real Stig was, but added: "My lips are sealed." | He also said he knew who the real Stig was, but added: "My lips are sealed." |
| 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 left the show in 2003 - when a "new" Stig, dressed in white, took over - and later disclosed his identity in an autobiography. |