The Stig's Book

[Matt H]

So Ben Collins has written a book about being the Stig and the BBC are fighting him to stop it being published.

 

Who's side are you on? Legalities aside, should he publish it or leave a little bit to the imagination?

 

My take is that he should be able to do a book, but not until the Tog Gear gets axed or at least the character of 'The Stig' is no longer used. I think to publish the book now would be Collins kicking Top Gear in the balls. He's still supposed to be keeping the thing a secret and should do as long as he remains the Stig.

[AndrewOW]

Who really cares? If he wants to write a book, then let him.

 

We all know there's a human being under the suit, and not a genetically modified clone developed in a test tube. Some say, anyway.

[Matt H]

Who really cares? If he wants to write a book, then let him.

 

I don't care no, but what about the principle?

[DanGX]

My thoughts are he signed up to be the Stig with all the attached kudos and restrictions. I mean, surely he could write the book - as the Stig - and still enjoy the royalties. The problem is if you unmask the Stig, he loses some of the mystery that surrounds him. The Stig is a nice side attraction to the show and shouldn't be tampered with.

[Stephendjb]

Surely it's possible for him to write a book about being the Stig without revealing who he is???

 

Edit:

Even though everyone knows now anyway?

[Scott]

I doubt his autobiography is solely about him being the stig. Come on folks, use some common sense here. The Stig ties are to sell the books, it will be his life story.

 

IMO if the contract is in place he should be honouring it.

[ellis]

Everyone knew he was the Stig ages ago - nobody gives a f@ck anymore

 

If this is all we've got to worry about it's probably time we turned off the lights, locked the doors and f@cked off.

[BazzaAlpine]

If he is and he writes about it he should be immediately fired and a new stig bought in.

[martini]

I think this is a publicity stunt as Top Gear is shite; I reckon they want to remind people that it exists.

 

It's a slightly more modern version of Last of the Summer Wine.

[AndrewOW]

It's a slightly more modern version of Last of the Summer Wine.

 

 

I could so imagine them on that!

 

Hammond, Clarkson and May:

[SupraHuman]

Top Gear has already kicked them self in the spuds by becoming just silly slap stick gayness, publish away Stig.

[Porky1978]

I thought he was the OLD Stig. The one that they killed off on the aircraft carrier. If he isnt the stig any more, whats the problem?? He was ONLY paid 700 quid a week as the stig according to the sunday paper so i say let him cash in.

[Dave]

I thought he was the OLD Stig. The one that they killed off on the aircraft carrier. If he isnt the stig any more, whats the problem?? He was ONLY paid 700 quid a week as the stig according to the sunday paper so i say let him cash in.

 

i thought it was 5-10k per episode and BTW that comes out of our licence fee

[stevie_b]

My take is that he should be able to do a book, but not until the Tog Gear gets axed or at least the character of 'The Stig' is no longer used. I think to publish the book now would be Collins kicking Top Gear in the balls. He's still supposed to be keeping the thing a secret and should do as long as he remains the Stig.

 

 

I'm surprised that there's only one Stig at a time: I thought/guessed that they would have several guys who would take turns to don the white suit and helmet and play at being The Stig for a given day.

[evinX]

Allowed becuse everyone knows its hims, hes still the quiet white stig, so...if any goes wrong why cant they get a new stig and start it all of again...bbc are lame.

[Scott]

 

I'm surprised that there's only one Stig at a time: I thought/guessed that they would have several guys who would take turns to don the white suit and helmet and play at being The Stig for a given day.

 

 

There is, but it is more of a guest appearance type thing. For example, American Stig. Most of the 'cousin' types are fill in's. It's the same guy 90% of the time. I think the same one always does the laptimes, other than the FXX of course.

[Abz]

Surely the BBC own the copyright to "The Stig" name so wouldn't this put a damper on his book with BBC complaining that he is selling Stig merchandise?

[Swampy442]

Whats he got to write about anyway? "I drove cars fast" Thats an interesting read...

[JustGav]

And welcome to marketing 101

[ivan]

I thought he was the OLD Stig. The one that they killed off on the aircraft carrier. If he isnt the stig any more, whats the problem?? He was ONLY paid 700 quid a week as the stig according to the sunday paper so i say let him cash in.

 

That was Perry McCarthy.

[Purity14]

Ben Collins has written a book about being the Stig and the BBC are fighting him to stop it being published.

 

My take is that he should be able to do a book.

 

Thus I think he should not be allowed to do a book.

[Matt H]

 

I'm surprised that there's only one Stig at a time: I thought/guessed that they would have several guys who would take turns to don the white suit and helmet and play at being The Stig for a given day.

 

I still think there's a few guys that share the Stigs work. I think it's Collins company that provide the guys, but with Collins being the 'usual' suspect and others doing bits and bobs when he's not available. I reckon it's always Collins doing the track bit though to make sure the time comparisions are fair.

[garethr]

He signed the contract with TG, he was happy to take the money, he should honour his word.

[Matt H]

He signed the contract with TG, he was happy to take the money, he should honour his word.

 

Indeed, it's a matter of principle.

[Matt H]

Well he's a gonner. The Stig is dead, long live the Stig:

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1309926/The-Stig-Ben-Collins-slammed-Top-Gears-Jeremy-Clarkson-unmasking.html