Thursday, 16 September 2010

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Top Gear's The Stig: I'm embarrassed by points on my driving licence

Ben Collins says he's doing his best to reduce them

Ben Collins took in the role of The Stig for 7 years

The man who played Top Gear driver The Stig has revealed he doesn't have a clean licence.

Ben Collins, 35, says he's humiliated because the character is meant to be an expert motorist. 

'I'm doing my best to reduce them! I'm embarrassed that I've still got 3 points,' he says. 

Former Formula Three star Ben was identified as The Stig earlier this month after the BBC lost a High Court bid to block the publication of his forthcoming autobiography, in which he outs himself. 

'About a year ago if you Googled The Stig my name came up,' he tells This Morning.

'I saw that the cover was blown and the writing was on the wall and it was time to move on. So I stuck pen to paper, reflected on the fantastic time I'd had working on Top Gear.'

Ben Collins is the second driver to take on the role - he slipped into the hot seat vacated by Formula 1's Perry McCarthy, 49, in 2003.

Top Gear bosses are expected to hire a new Stig now.