For over two decades, the BBC’s Top Gear captivated audiences worldwide with its blend of automotive enthusiasm, humor, and daring stunts. Central to the show’s mystique was The Stig, the enigmatic, helmeted racing driver whose true identity remained a closely guarded secret. Recently, after years of speculation, Jeremy Clarkson revealed a surprising piece of the puzzle during a Q&A session, naming Phil Keen as one of the individuals who donned the iconic white suit. But who exactly was The Stig, and what’s the story behind this silent icon of motoring television?
The Stig poses next to a giant statue of The Stig at a BBC Top Gear event in London.
The revelation that Phil Keen, a highly accomplished British professional racing driver known for his success in the European Le Mans Series and British GT Championship, was indeed one of the Stigs, adds another layer to the legend. However, the story of The Stig is more complex than just one name. In reality, the role has been filled by several skilled drivers over the years, each contributing to the character’s allure.
The first iteration of The Stig was actually “Black Stig,” played by Perry McCarthy. McCarthy, a British Le Mans and Formula 1 driver, brought a raw, almost rebellious edge to the role. Dressed in a black racing suit, this original Stig was shrouded in even more mystery. His tenure was relatively short, lasting only two seasons, famously “killed off” in a memorable (and humorous) storyline that saw him drive a car off an aircraft carrier.
Jeremy Clarkson at a media event in Perth, Australia, highlighting his prominent role in Top Gear's appeal.
Following McCarthy’s departure, “White Stig” emerged, becoming the more recognizable and enduring version of the character. The first White Stig was Ben Collins, a British racing driver and stunt driver with an impressive resume. Collins embodied the silent, skilled persona perfectly, pushing supercars to their limits and setting benchmark lap times around the Top Gear test track. His expertise and precision driving were crucial to the show’s car reviews and challenges. Collins remained in the white suit until 2010 when he was dismissed from Top Gear after publishing his autobiography, The Man in the White Suit, revealing his identity as The Stig. This act broke the anonymity that was so central to the Stig’s mystique.
After Collins’ departure, the BBC introduced a new White Stig, and while never officially confirmed at the time, it has now been revealed that Phil Keen was among those who took on the mantle. Keen’s background in professional racing made him an ideal fit, ensuring the Stig’s driving prowess remained top-tier. The continued use of different drivers under the same Stig persona highlights the genius of the concept – it was never truly about who was The Stig, but rather what The Stig represented: the ultimate, anonymous driving expert.
The appeal of The Stig is undeniable. In a show driven by larger-than-life personalities like Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May, The Stig was the silent counterpoint, a figure of pure skill and unwavering focus. He was the embodiment of the expert opinion, the one who could truly put any car through its paces without uttering a word. This enigmatic nature fueled endless speculation and became a running joke within the show itself, adding to its charm and global appeal. The Stig wasn’t just a driver; he was a crucial element of the Top Gear formula, contributing significantly to its status as the “Most widely watched factual T.V. program in the world.”
Even the initial name considered for the character, “The Gimp,” reveals the playful and sometimes edgy humor that defined Top Gear. While ultimately deemed too controversial, the near-miss name underscores the show’s willingness to push boundaries and create memorable television. The choice of “Stig,” though more palatable, still retained a sense of the unusual and mysterious, perfectly fitting the character’s silent and unknowable nature.
In conclusion, “Who Was The Stig In Top Gear?” is a question with a multifaceted answer. It was Perry McCarthy, Ben Collins, Phil Keen, and likely other skilled drivers who brought the character to life. But more importantly, The Stig was a concept, an idea that transcended individual identity. He was the anonymous, expert driver, the silent judge of automotive excellence, and a key ingredient in the global phenomenon that was Top Gear. His enduring mystery and the recent revelations only serve to deepen the legend of this iconic figure in television history.
