The Stig' plans rival Top Gear show

csv8 · 30-09-2010, 08:27 PM

The Stig' plans rival Top Gear show
Stephen Ottley
September 30, 2010 - 5:59PM

Ben Collins formerly known as the Stig, is planning to start his own show to rival Top Gear.
The Stig is set to go head-to-head with his former colleagues at Top Gear. Ben Collins, recently unveiled as the driver behind the white helmet of the popular British TV program's anonymous racing driver, is in talks to star in his own TV show.

Collins left Top Gear earlier this year after revealing he would write a book about his time as The Stig. He says he is now focused on becoming a TV presenter and is in talks with several networks in the UK. He has told the media that his plan for the show would involve more elaborate and dangerous stunts.

"I'm going to be concentrating on television and I've got some exciting projects coming up," Collins told UK media.

"Presenting is what I'd like to get into. There were many ideas that I've had on Top Gear that they thought were too crazy and hopefully now I can get away with as a free agent."

Collins is no stranger to stunt driving. During his time as The Stig he also worked on the James Bond film Quantum of Solace.

"I'd love to do some stunts and having worked in the film industry with stunt professionals I have huge respect for what they do," he said.

Collins has also revealed his relief at not having to maintain his double-life. He reveals in his book 'The Man in the White Suit' the lengths he went to hiding his role as The Stig which included lying to friends and family.

"Over the last 18 months there were more and more rumours that I was The Stig," Collins told The Sun. "The end was nigh, so for that pressure to come off is fantastic.

"The great thing is that I can talk about my past without worrying.

"You don't realise how precious freedom of speech is until someone tries to take it away from you."

In addition to his TV aspirations Collins also admits he wants to write more books; including works of fiction.

He will also get back to his professional racing career and compete in the final round of this year's British Touring Car Championship.

**Revolver** · 30-09-2010, 08:31 PM

Good luck, he needs it, it a tall order. Look at 5th gear...

platinumXR · 30-09-2010, 08:40 PM

Yeah old news.

Good luck with that.

Tool.

Road_Warrior · 30-09-2010, 10:20 PM

lol.

What a douche.

JBomb3000 · 30-09-2010, 10:24 PM

even if it was twice as good as top gear (which it won't be) i wouldn't watch it out of principal, the guy is a tool.

VioletGT · 30-09-2010, 10:26 PM

Who does this guy think he is?

Road_Warrior · 30-09-2010, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VioletGT

Who does this guy think he is?

The Stig!

duaned · 30-09-2010, 11:38 PM

**Polyal** · 30-09-2010, 11:40 PM

LOL @ this thread

3vXT · 01-10-2010, 01:09 AM

I'd give it a go.

I'm over Top Gear and their stupid jokes. Other than referring to newer cars, their stand up routine hasn't changed in years and its getting old now. I don't really have anything against Collins, who cares anyway? Its not like he raped a baby or something, people need to grow up.

chevypower · 01-10-2010, 08:05 AM

I never watched Top Gear for Ben Collins, I don't care about him and neither do most other people. He will fail. He got greedy. He blew it.

There's people sticking up for him that say "well the other three can have books, why can't he?" Well there is a difference. The other 3 writing books actually complements the show. It adds to the show's success. When Ben breaches his contract against the will of the producers, it was actually against the good of the show. He was willing to do it to benefit him, and only him - at the expense of the show's successful formula which relied on him keeping his mouth shut. That's what made him greedy.

GK · 01-10-2010, 09:00 AM

With the way the show built and maintained the tension around the identity of The Stig, and the cult status they made for him, I can understand why he wanted more of a say, and more recognition for what he was doing. That was not his brief though, and he has done the wrong thing.

The cult of celebrity is a curse, and has undone Collins. People end up believing what the publicity machine says about them. I reckon he did well for being able to last as long as he did under such conditions. He did get greedy, but he's only human.

Even so, I don't see why he should be roasted so severely for wanting to try out some of his own ideas, now that he's left the show. His ideas just might bring something new and fresh, that makes other shows in the genre lift their game. Healthy competiton lifts the standard.

GK

sleek7 · 01-10-2010, 10:13 AM

Car show with Ben Collins = no tv ratings of the show from me.

Fev · 01-10-2010, 11:26 AM

I actually understand his whole deal with coming out of the closet so to speak. It would be very hard to keep your identity as something so known throughout the world a secret, Especially to family and friends. It would be hell!

auxr · 01-10-2010, 11:36 AM

I am definately not a Stigaphobic, but Collins blew it big time - can't see how he will overcome the Stigma he has caused by coming out of the helmet.

Meh - TG still rules.

GTP-814 · 01-10-2010, 01:52 PM

If he keeps the helmet on etc it will be the quietest show around, just like the old silent movie days.

EDManual · 01-10-2010, 02:13 PM

He would have all the money he ever could want (as some of you think is the only reason youd do it), so why continue being the stig? It would be annoying thats for sure. Good luck. TV show sounds great!

flappist · 01-10-2010, 03:17 PM

And who actually watches TGUK for the car tests?

75% are not available in Australia and the 25% that are cost more than most people's houses.

There is an almost constant whinge on here over how bad TGAU is yet almost all the cars tested or driven are available here and affordable by most.

auxr · 01-10-2010, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

And who actually watches TGUK for the car tests?

75% are not available in Australia and the 25% that are cost more than most people's houses.

There is an almost constant whinge on here over how bad TGAU is yet almost all the cars tested or driven are available here and affordabel by most.

Only one reason comes to mind - entertainment value.

Spitfire 6.2 · 01-10-2010, 03:54 PM

I doubt Ben Collins owns the rights to "The Stig". That would be the intellectual property of Top Gear and the BBC. Any mention or similarity on a rival show would surely result in legal action.

**Revolver** · 01-10-2010, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by auxr

Only one reason comes to mind - entertainment value.

Thats why the audience, both live on the show & viewers is split as a 50/50% split male/female. Reportedly anyway....

If he really wanted to cash in the stig, he could have brought out a few books himself as "the stig" on differing topics, like "the stigs guide to racing", of something like that.... Or commenting on the shows achievements, successes, & myths... Could have been funny from the man who never talked..

Quote:

Originally Posted by GT-Mark

I doubt Ben Collins owns the rights to "The Stig". That would be the intellectual property of Top Gear and the BBC. Any mention or similarity on a rival show would surely result in legal action.

No he doesn't, there was a black stig way back in the day, but after he went ahead & revealed himself to be the stig, he axed from the show. The storey being when TG got him to drag race a jet fighter on a aircraft carrier in the stripped out NOS fed 2 door Jaguar they had built to race every supercar at the time. However he couldnt stop the car in time & went *splash* into the drink.... Some say he survived & needs to drink bleach to live, hence why his suit is white...

PS. How on earth do you put pictures on the black background with the white text? Is there a template for that? There are tones of them on the epic fail thread, even one that had to have been done up by an Aussie, because it was of Mark Skaife after he broke (P) Rick Kelly's Tail Shaft at the first round of V8SC this year with a caption under it. How do you make it? I have a few of my own....

BFZF8 · 01-10-2010, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Beast II

PS. How on earth do you put pictures on the black background with the white text? Is there a template for that? There are tones of them on the epic fail thread, even one that had to have been done up by an Aussie, because it was of Mark Skaife after he broke (P) Rick Kelly's Tail Shaft at the first round of V8SC this year with a caption under it. How do you make it? I have a few of my own....

Here you go, mate. http://diy.despair.com/

**Revolver** · 01-10-2010, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFZF8

Here you go, mate. http://diy.despair.com/

YOU DEADEST LEGEND!

InfernoSR · 01-10-2010, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duaned

BFZF8 · 01-10-2010, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Beast II

YOU DEADEST LEGEND!

I have my moments.

GORDZ · 01-10-2010, 10:12 PM

i'll boycott this on principle.

Bobman · 09-10-2010, 05:05 PM

He just featured on the 1st episode of the new season of 5th gear.

I guess he might be a regular on there? A few digs at Top Gear claiming that he can "speak" now.

Franco Cozzo · 09-10-2010, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

And who actually watches TGUK for the car tests?

75% are not available in Australia and the 25% that are cost more than most people's houses.

There is an almost constant whinge on here over how bad TGAU is yet almost all the cars tested or driven are available here and affordable by most.

One reason why I like TGAU

Sure they arent as funny as the other three and its a bit try-hard but I didn't see TGUK reviewing cars I could actually afford (second hand ones of the new ones they test).

Rodp · 09-10-2010, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobman

He just featured on the 1st episode of the new season of 5th gear.

I guess he might be a regular on there? A few digs at Top Gear claiming that he can "speak" now.

That seemed to be the implication.

Personally, I thought he was better with his mouth shut.

fmc351 · 09-10-2010, 05:38 PM

Some of you guys are typing like he is the property of TG, they dont own the man, just the character. Its a career, he chose to end that part of it and move on. If that was a mistake, time will tell. Good on him, I hope he does well at whatever he does. Thanks for the past entertainment.

Sounds like his coming out broke your hearts?